Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Nov. 9, 2011 MI HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 39)
Nov. 3, 2011 MI HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
March 16, 2011 NM SB 427 Rating System for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
March 16, 2011 FL SB 736 Public School Evaluation Procedures Bill Passed - House (80 - 39)
March 3, 2011 NV AB 183 Revising Payment for Outstanding Bonds in School Districts Bill Passed - House (25 - 16)
Feb. 1, 2011 VA HJ 593 Free Exercise of Religion Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33)
Feb. 22, 2011 IN SB 1 Evaluating and Licensing of Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2011 NC SB 8 Repeal on the Number of Charter Schools Allowed Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT SJR 9 Supervision of Public Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
June 9, 2011 AL HB 123 Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 21)
May 26, 2011 MI HB 4325 Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
May 6, 2011 VT H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 48)
Nov. 17, 2011 National HR 2112 Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 30)
April 28, 2011 MT SB 329 Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
March 9, 2011 UT HB 183 School District Leave Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (42 - 28)
March 3, 2011 MN SF 40 Amends Licensing and Codes for Education Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 50)
May 20, 2011 TN SB 113 Teachers' Unions Negotiations Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 40)
May 28, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 53)
Nov. 10, 2011 IL SB 2147 Paying Regional Superintendents Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
May 28, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
Nov. 17, 2011 National HR 2112 Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121)
May 20, 2011 TN SB 113 Teachers' Unions Negotiations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
May 5, 2011 VT H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10)
May 26, 2011 MI HB 4325 Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
April 28, 2011 MT SB 329 Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 49)
March 3, 2011 MN SF 40 Amends Licensing and Codes for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 19)
May 29, 2011 TX SB 1811 Reduces Funding for State Agencies Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 63)
March 8, 2011 UT HB 183 School District Leave Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7)
April 19, 2011 IN SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
May 25, 2011 TX HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 64)
June 30, 2011 PA SB 330 Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
June 30, 2011 MI HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 50)
April 27, 2011 IN HB 1003 School Vouchers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 43)
April 27, 2011 IN HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
Sept. 6, 2011 CA AB 165 Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 24)
April 13, 2011 IN SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 40)
April 13, 2011 AZ HB 2415 Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
June 21, 2011 OR HB 2301 Online Charter School Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 21, 2011 IN HB 1003 School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
May 4, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 18, 2011 NH SB 196 Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal Bill Passed - House (253 - 105)
May 23, 2011 TX HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
Dec. 14, 2011 MI SB618 Repeals Limit on Number of Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
Sept. 1, 2011 CA AB 165 Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
June 10, 2011 TX SB 1 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - House (83 - 62)
June 16, 2011 TX SB 8 Management and Operation of Public Schools Bill Passed - House (81 - 55)
June 30, 2011 PA SB 330 Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act Bill Passed - House (109 - 86)
June 30, 2011 MI HB 4625 Teacher Tenure Standards Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
June 30, 2011 MI HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Aug. 30, 2011 CA SB 161 Administration of Epilepsy Medication in Schools Bill Passed - House (46 - 21)
March 24, 2011 TN SB 1528 Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
April 12, 2011 IN HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
Feb. 1, 2011 AR HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
June 21, 2011 OR HB 2301 Online Charter School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
April 1, 2011 ID S 1184 Technology in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (44 - 26)
Nov. 1, 2011 WI SB 45 Administration of Medications to Students Bill Passed - House (63 - 32)
Feb. 17, 2011 IA HF 260 House Rule School Governance Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
March 2, 2011 UT SB 65 Statewide Online Education Program Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
July 19, 2011 MN HF 26 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28)
May 12, 2011 MI HB 4481 Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
March 9, 2011 UT SB 73 Public School Teacher Tenure Modifications Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
June 21, 2011 OR SB 552 Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
April 13, 2011 OR SB 5552 Department of Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
March 18, 2011 NM HB 172 Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
July 5, 2011 CA SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
May 25, 2011 SC H 3407 Establishing a School Voucher Program Bill Tabled - House (60 - 59)
June 30, 2011 MI HB 4625 Teacher Tenure Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 42)
Nov. 9, 2011 IL SB 2147 Paying Regional Superintendents Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
March 30, 2011 IN HB 1003 School Vouchers Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
Feb. 2, 2011 WY SF 106 School Finances Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
Feb. 3, 2011 MN SF 40 Amends Licensing and Codes for Education Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23)
Feb. 8, 2011 IN HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
Feb. 16, 2011 OH HB 30 Reduce Required School Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
Feb. 16, 2011 UT HB 75 Guns On School Premises Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
Feb. 17, 2011 IN SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
Feb. 21, 2011 OK SB 435 Modifying Board of Education Membership Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
Feb. 22, 2011 MT HB 456 Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
Feb. 23, 2011 SC H 3241 Funding for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (85 - 32)
Feb. 23, 2011 UT HB 183 School District Leave Policies Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
Feb. 24, 2011 ID S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 24, 2011 ID S 1110 Redistributing Public School Funds for Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 2, 2011 WV HB 2879 One-Time Pay Raise for State Employees Bill Passed - House (78 - 22)
March 3, 2011 UT HB 301 School District Property Tax Revisions Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
March 4, 2011 ID H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
March 7, 2011 AZ HB 2415 Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
March 8, 2011 NM HB 172 Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline Bill Passed - House (36 - 31)
March 10, 2011 FL SB 736 Public School Evaluation Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
March 10, 2011 TN SB 1528 Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
March 17, 2011 AR HB 1936 Dress Codes for Public Schools Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
March 22, 2011 IA HF 534 School Instructional Hours and Days Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
March 24, 2011 ID S 1184 Technology in the Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 25, 2011 AR HB 1032 Curriculum Standards for Bible Instruction in School Districts Bill Passed - House (71 - 16)
March 30, 2011 National HR 471 School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. Bill Passed - House (225 - 195)
Jan. 31, 2011 NY S 2707 Funding State Mandated Programs Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
April 3, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 49)
April 6, 2011 OR SB 552 Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
April 7, 2011 TN HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
April 12, 2011 AL HB 123 Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 Bill Passed - House (64 - 36)
April 14, 2011 CA SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
April 20, 2011 OR HB 3555 Qualifications for Superintendents of Public Schools Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/09 HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 39)
11/03 HB 4005 School Board Election Dates Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
3/16 SB 427 Rating System for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
3/16 SB 736 Public School Evaluation Procedures Bill Passed - House (80 - 39)
3/03 AB 183 Revising Payment for Outstanding Bonds in School Districts Bill Passed - House (25 - 16)
2/01 HJ 593 Free Exercise of Religion Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33)
2/22 SB 1 Evaluating and Licensing of Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/24 SB 8 Repeal on the Number of Charter Schools Allowed Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17)
2/23 SJR 9 Supervision of Public Education Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
6/09 HB 123 Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 21)
5/26 HB 4325 Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
5/06 H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 48)
11/17 HR 2112 Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 30)
4/28 SB 329 Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
3/09 HB 183 School District Leave Policies Conference Report Adopted - House (42 - 28)
3/03 SF 40 Amends Licensing and Codes for Education Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 50)
5/20 SB 113 Teachers' Unions Negotiations Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 40)
5/28 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 53)
11/10 SB 2147 Paying Regional Superintendents Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
5/28 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
11/17 HR 2112 Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121)
5/20 SB 113 Teachers' Unions Negotiations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 12)
5/05 H 436 Tax Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 10)
5/26 HB 4325 Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50)
4/28 SB 329 Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 49)
3/03 SF 40 Amends Licensing and Codes for Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 19)
5/29 SB 1811 Reduces Funding for State Agencies Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 63)
3/08 HB 183 School District Leave Policies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 7)
4/19 SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
5/25 HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 64)
6/30 SB 330 Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
6/30 HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 50)
4/27 HB 1003 School Vouchers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 43)
4/27 HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37)
9/06 AB 165 Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 24)
4/13 SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 40)
4/13 HB 2415 Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8)
6/21 HB 2301 Online Charter School Enrollment Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/21 HB 1003 School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
5/04 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/18 SB 196 Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal Bill Passed - House (253 - 105)
5/23 HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
12/14 SB618 Repeals Limit on Number of Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 49)
9/01 AB 165 Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
6/10 SB 1 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - House (83 - 62)
6/16 SB 8 Management and Operation of Public Schools Bill Passed - House (81 - 55)
6/30 SB 330 Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act Bill Passed - House (109 - 86)
6/30 HB 4625 Teacher Tenure Standards Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
6/30 HB 4628 Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
8/30 SB 161 Administration of Epilepsy Medication in Schools Bill Passed - House (46 - 21)
3/24 SB 1528 Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (65 - 32)
4/12 HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20)
2/01 HB 1049 Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones Bill Passed - House (53 - 41)
6/21 HB 2301 Online Charter School Enrollment Bill Passed - House (33 - 27)
4/01 S 1184 Technology in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (44 - 26)
11/01 SB 45 Administration of Medications to Students Bill Passed - House (63 - 32)
2/17 HF 260 House Rule School Governance Bill Passed - House (65 - 30)
3/02 SB 65 Statewide Online Education Program Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
7/19 HF 26 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28)
5/12 HB 4481 Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19)
3/09 SB 73 Public School Teacher Tenure Modifications Bill Passed - House (45 - 28)
6/21 SB 552 Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)
4/13 SB 5552 Department of Education Appropriations Bill Passed - House (32 - 28)
3/18 HB 172 Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
7/05 SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - House (50 - 26)
5/25 H 3407 Establishing a School Voucher Program Bill Tabled - House (60 - 59)
6/30 HB 4625 Teacher Tenure Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 42)
11/09 SB 2147 Paying Regional Superintendents Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
3/30 HB 1003 School Vouchers Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
2/02 SF 106 School Finances Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 13)
2/03 SF 40 Amends Licensing and Codes for Education Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23)
2/08 HB 1002 Charter School Amendments Bill Passed - House (59 - 37)
2/16 HB 30 Reduce Required School Funding Bill Passed - House (59 - 36)
2/16 HB 75 Guns On School Premises Bill Passed - House (58 - 15)
2/17 SB 575 Collective Bargaining for School Employees Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19)
2/21 SB 435 Modifying Board of Education Membership Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16)
2/22 HB 456 Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools Bill Passed - House (67 - 30)
2/23 H 3241 Funding for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (85 - 32)
2/23 HB 183 School District Leave Policies Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
2/24 S 1108 Education Provisions and Teacher Entitlements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/24 S 1110 Redistributing Public School Funds for Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/02 HB 2879 One-Time Pay Raise for State Employees Bill Passed - House (78 - 22)
3/03 HB 301 School District Property Tax Revisions Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
3/04 H 104a Teacher Union Activities Bill Passed - House (55 - 14)
3/07 HB 2415 Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools Bill Passed - House (38 - 21)
3/08 HB 172 Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline Bill Passed - House (36 - 31)
3/10 SB 736 Public School Evaluation Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
3/10 SB 1528 Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12)
3/17 HB 1936 Dress Codes for Public Schools Bill Passed - House (73 - 19)
3/22 HF 534 School Instructional Hours and Days Bill Passed - House (62 - 33)
3/24 S 1184 Technology in the Classroom Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/25 HB 1032 Curriculum Standards for Bible Instruction in School Districts Bill Passed - House (71 - 16)
3/30 HR 471 School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. Bill Passed - House (225 - 195)
1/31 S 2707 Funding State Mandated Programs Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20)
4/03 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - House (98 - 49)
4/06 SB 552 Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
4/07 HB 368 Scientific Theories in the Classroom Bill Passed - House (70 - 23)
4/12 HB 123 Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 Bill Passed - House (64 - 36)
4/14 SB 48 Requires Teaching Gay History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
4/20 HB 3555 Qualifications for Superintendents of Public Schools Bill Passed - House (38 - 22)

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