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:
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.
Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
June 9, 2011 | AL | HB 123 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 | Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 21) |
April 12, 2011 | AL | HB 123 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 | Bill Passed - House (64 - 36) |
Feb. 16, 2011 | AR | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 9) |
Feb. 1, 2011 | AR | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Passed - House (53 - 41) |
March 25, 2011 | AR | HB 1032 | Curriculum Standards for Bible Instruction in School Districts | Bill Passed - House (71 - 16) |
Jan. 31, 2011 | AR | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Failed - House (46 - 47) |
March 17, 2011 | AR | HB 1936 | Dress Codes for Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
April 13, 2011 | AZ | HB 2415 | Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
March 17, 2011 | AZ | SB 1611 | Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
March 7, 2011 | AZ | HB 2415 | Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools | Bill Passed - House (38 - 21) |
Sept. 6, 2011 | CA | AB 165 | Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 24) |
Aug. 30, 2011 | CA | SB 161 | Administration of Epilepsy Medication in Schools | Bill Passed - House (46 - 21) |
Sept. 1, 2011 | CA | AB 165 | Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
July 5, 2011 | CA | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
April 14, 2011 | CA | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
June 23, 2011 | DE | HB 100 | Background Checks for Contractors on School Premises | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 5) |
March 16, 2011 | FL | SB 736 | Public School Evaluation Procedures | Bill Passed - House (80 - 39) |
March 10, 2011 | FL | SB 736 | Public School Evaluation Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | IA | HF 260 | House Rule School Governance | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
March 22, 2011 | IA | HF 534 | School Instructional Hours and Days | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
April 1, 2011 | ID | S 1184 | Technology in the Classroom | Bill Passed - House (44 - 26) |
March 24, 2011 | ID | S 1184 | Technology in the Classroom | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
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 4, 2011 | ID | H 104a | Teacher Union Activities | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
Nov. 10, 2011 | IL | SB 2147 | Paying Regional Superintendents | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16) |
Nov. 9, 2011 | IL | SB 2147 | Paying Regional Superintendents | Bill Failed - House (70 - 43) |
Nov. 9, 2011 | IL | SB 2147 | Paying Regional Superintendents | Bill Passed - House (74 - 36) |
Feb. 22, 2011 | IN | SB 1 | Evaluating and Licensing of Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
April 19, 2011 | IN | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
April 27, 2011 | IN | HB 1002 | Charter School Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37) |
April 27, 2011 | IN | HB 1003 | School Vouchers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 43) |
April 13, 2011 | IN | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
April 12, 2011 | IN | HB 1002 | Charter School Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
April 21, 2011 | IN | HB 1003 | School Vouchers | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
March 30, 2011 | IN | HB 1003 | School Vouchers | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | IN | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | IN | HB 1002 | Charter School Amendments | Bill Passed - House (59 - 37) |
May 19, 2011 | LA | HB 112 | Bullying in Public Schools | Bill Failed - House (43 - 54) |
May 25, 2011 | LA | SB 6 | Teacher Retirement | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 19) |
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) |
May 26, 2011 | MI | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
May 26, 2011 | MI | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50) |
June 30, 2011 | MI | HB 4628 | Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 50) |
June 30, 2011 | MI | HB 4628 | Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
June 30, 2011 | MI | HB 4625 | Teacher Tenure Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
Dec. 14, 2011 | MI | SB618 | Repeals Limit on Number of Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
May 12, 2011 | MI | HB 4481 | Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19) |
June 30, 2011 | MI | HB 4625 | Teacher Tenure Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 42) |
Nov. 2, 2011 | MI | SB 137 | Bullying Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
May 5, 2011 | MI | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
April 28, 2011 | MI | HB 4481 | Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - House (56 - 50) |
Aug. 24, 2011 | MI | HB 4005 | School Board Election Dates | Bill Passed - House (72 - 36) |
Oct. 27, 2011 | MI | SB 619 | Cyber Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
March 3, 2011 | MN | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 50) |
March 3, 2011 | MN | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 19) |
July 19, 2011 | MN | HF 26 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28) |
Feb. 3, 2011 | MN | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23) |
July 19, 2011 | MN | HF 26 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (71 - 56) |
April 28, 2011 | MT | SB 329 | Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19) |
April 28, 2011 | MT | SB 329 | Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 49) |
Feb. 22, 2011 | MT | HB 456 | Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (67 - 30) |
March 23, 2011 | MT | SB 403 | Revised K-12 School Funding | Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25) |
Nov. 17, 2011 | National | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 30) |
Nov. 17, 2011 | National | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121) |
Oct. 11, 2011 | National | S 1660 | American Jobs Act of 2011 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49) |
May 4, 2011 | National | HR 1214 | Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
March 30, 2011 | National | HR 471 | School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. | Bill Passed - House (225 - 195) |
Feb. 24, 2011 | NC | SB 8 | Repeal on the Number of Charter Schools Allowed | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
April 28, 2011 | NC | HB 546 | Alternative Teacher Salary Plans | Bill Passed - House (72 - 42) |
Feb. 18, 2011 | ND | HB 1258 | Contribution Retirement Plans for Teachers | Bill Failed - House (38 - 56) |
Feb. 18, 2011 | ND | HB 1412 | Teaching Personal Finance in Middle Schools | Bill Failed - House (47 - 47) |
May 18, 2011 | NH | SB 196 | Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal | Bill Passed - House (253 - 105) |
Nov. 30, 2011 | NH | CACR 14 | Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Legislature to Set Standards for Public Education | Amendment Rejected - House (114 - 264) |
March 16, 2011 | NM | SB 427 | Rating System for Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
March 18, 2011 | NM | HB 172 | Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
March 8, 2011 | NM | HB 172 | Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline | Bill Passed - House (36 - 31) |
March 3, 2011 | NV | AB 183 | Revising Payment for Outstanding Bonds in School Districts | Bill Passed - House (25 - 16) |
May 10, 2011 | NV | AB 568 | 2011-2013 Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (26 - 16) |
May 10, 2011 | NV | AB 568 | 2011-2013 Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
Jan. 31, 2011 | NY | S 2707 | Funding State Mandated Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
Feb. 16, 2011 | OH | HB 30 | Reduce Required School Funding | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
Feb. 21, 2011 | OK | SB 435 | Modifying Board of Education Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
June 21, 2011 | OR | HB 2301 | Online Charter School Enrollment | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
April 13, 2011 | OR | SB 5552 | Department of Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
June 21, 2011 | OR | SB 552 | Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction | Bill Passed - House (38 - 22) |
June 21, 2011 | OR | HB 2301 | Online Charter School Enrollment | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
June 20, 2011 | OR | SB 250 | Authorizing School Districts To Withdraw From Education Service Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
April 25, 2011 | OR | HB 2732 | High School Diploma Requirements | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
April 20, 2011 | OR | HB 3555 | Qualifications for Superintendents of Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (38 - 22) |
April 6, 2011 | OR | SB 552 | Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
March 14, 2011 | OR | HB 2287 | Public Charter Schools | Bill Failed - House (28 - 32) |
June 30, 2011 | PA | SB 330 | Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
June 30, 2011 | PA | SB 330 | Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act | Bill Passed - House (109 - 86) |
Dec. 14, 2011 | PA | H Amdt 7732 | Tuition Vouchers for Charter Schools | Amendment Rejected - House (90 - 105) |
Oct. 26, 2011 | PA | SB 1 | Charter School Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
May 11, 2011 | PA | SB 612 | Guidelines for Teacher Suspension | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
May 25, 2011 | SC | H 3407 | Establishing a School Voucher Program | Bill Tabled - House (60 - 59) |
Feb. 23, 2011 | SC | H 3241 | Funding for Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (85 - 32) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
6/09 | HB 123 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 | Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 21) |
4/12 | HB 123 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 | Bill Passed - House (64 - 36) |
2/16 | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 9) |
2/01 | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Passed - House (53 - 41) |
3/25 | HB 1032 | Curriculum Standards for Bible Instruction in School Districts | Bill Passed - House (71 - 16) |
1/31 | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Failed - House (46 - 47) |
3/17 | HB 1936 | Dress Codes for Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
4/13 | HB 2415 | Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 8) |
3/17 | SB 1611 | Requires Verification of Citizenship for Certain Benefits | Bill Failed - Senate (11 - 19) |
3/07 | HB 2415 | Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools | Bill Passed - House (38 - 21) |
9/06 | AB 165 | Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 24) |
8/30 | SB 161 | Administration of Epilepsy Medication in Schools | Bill Passed - House (46 - 21) |
9/01 | AB 165 | Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
7/05 | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
4/14 | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
6/23 | HB 100 | Background Checks for Contractors on School Premises | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 5) |
3/16 | SB 736 | Public School Evaluation Procedures | Bill Passed - House (80 - 39) |
3/10 | SB 736 | Public School Evaluation Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12) |
2/17 | HF 260 | House Rule School Governance | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
3/22 | HF 534 | School Instructional Hours and Days | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
4/01 | S 1184 | Technology in the Classroom | Bill Passed - House (44 - 26) |
3/24 | S 1184 | Technology in the Classroom | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
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) |
3/04 | H 104a | Teacher Union Activities | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
11/10 | SB 2147 | Paying Regional Superintendents | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 16) |
11/09 | SB 2147 | Paying Regional Superintendents | Bill Failed - House (70 - 43) |
11/09 | SB 2147 | Paying Regional Superintendents | Bill Passed - House (74 - 36) |
2/22 | SB 1 | Evaluating and Licensing of Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
4/19 | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
4/27 | HB 1002 | Charter School Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 37) |
4/27 | HB 1003 | School Vouchers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 43) |
4/13 | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
4/12 | HB 1002 | Charter School Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 20) |
4/21 | HB 1003 | School Vouchers | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 22) |
3/30 | HB 1003 | School Vouchers | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
2/17 | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 19) |
2/08 | HB 1002 | Charter School Amendments | Bill Passed - House (59 - 37) |
5/19 | HB 112 | Bullying in Public Schools | Bill Failed - House (43 - 54) |
5/25 | SB 6 | Teacher Retirement | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 19) |
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) |
5/26 | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
5/26 | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50) |
6/30 | HB 4628 | Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 50) |
6/30 | HB 4628 | Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
6/30 | HB 4625 | Teacher Tenure Standards | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
12/14 | SB618 | Repeals Limit on Number of Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
5/12 | HB 4481 | Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19) |
6/30 | HB 4625 | Teacher Tenure Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 42) |
11/02 | SB 137 | Bullying Law Amendments | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
5/05 | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
4/28 | HB 4481 | Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - House (56 - 50) |
8/24 | HB 4005 | School Board Election Dates | Bill Passed - House (72 - 36) |
10/27 | SB 619 | Cyber Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
3/03 | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 50) |
3/03 | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (46 - 19) |
7/19 | HF 26 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 28) |
2/03 | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 23) |
7/19 | HF 26 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (71 - 56) |
4/28 | SB 329 | Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19) |
4/28 | SB 329 | Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 49) |
2/22 | HB 456 | Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (67 - 30) |
3/23 | SB 403 | Revised K-12 School Funding | Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 25) |
11/17 | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (70 - 30) |
11/17 | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121) |
10/11 | S 1660 | American Jobs Act of 2011 | Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (50 - 49) |
5/04 | HR 1214 | Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
3/30 | HR 471 | School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. | Bill Passed - House (225 - 195) |
2/24 | SB 8 | Repeal on the Number of Charter Schools Allowed | Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 17) |
4/28 | HB 546 | Alternative Teacher Salary Plans | Bill Passed - House (72 - 42) |
2/18 | HB 1258 | Contribution Retirement Plans for Teachers | Bill Failed - House (38 - 56) |
2/18 | HB 1412 | Teaching Personal Finance in Middle Schools | Bill Failed - House (47 - 47) |
5/18 | SB 196 | Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal | Bill Passed - House (253 - 105) |
11/30 | CACR 14 | Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Legislature to Set Standards for Public Education | Amendment Rejected - House (114 - 264) |
3/16 | SB 427 | Rating System for Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
3/18 | HB 172 | Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
3/08 | HB 172 | Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline | Bill Passed - House (36 - 31) |
3/03 | AB 183 | Revising Payment for Outstanding Bonds in School Districts | Bill Passed - House (25 - 16) |
5/10 | AB 568 | 2011-2013 Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (26 - 16) |
5/10 | AB 568 | 2011-2013 Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 10) |
1/31 | S 2707 | Funding State Mandated Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (42 - 20) |
2/16 | HB 30 | Reduce Required School Funding | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
2/21 | SB 435 | Modifying Board of Education Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 16) |
6/21 | HB 2301 | Online Charter School Enrollment | Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12) |
4/13 | SB 5552 | Department of Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
6/21 | SB 552 | Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction | Bill Passed - House (38 - 22) |
6/21 | HB 2301 | Online Charter School Enrollment | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
6/20 | SB 250 | Authorizing School Districts To Withdraw From Education Service Districts | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 11) |
4/25 | HB 2732 | High School Diploma Requirements | Bill Passed - House (33 - 26) |
4/20 | HB 3555 | Qualifications for Superintendents of Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (38 - 22) |
4/06 | SB 552 | Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7) |
3/14 | HB 2287 | Public Charter Schools | Bill Failed - House (28 - 32) |
6/30 | SB 330 | Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17) |
6/30 | SB 330 | Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act | Bill Passed - House (109 - 86) |
12/14 | H Amdt 7732 | Tuition Vouchers for Charter Schools | Amendment Rejected - House (90 - 105) |
10/26 | SB 1 | Charter School Guidelines | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22) |
5/11 | SB 612 | Guidelines for Teacher Suspension | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12) |
5/25 | H 3407 | Establishing a School Voucher Program | Bill Tabled - House (60 - 59) |
2/23 | H 3241 | Funding for Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (85 - 32) |