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
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)

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