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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 2, 2018 | NY | A 10475 | Prohibits State Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations | Bill Passed - House (133 - 1) |
May 2, 2018 | NY | A 10475 | Prohibits State Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations | Bill Passed - House (133 - 1) |
July 1, 2018 | NJ | A 3765 | Authorizes School Employees with Safety Experience to be Appointed as a School Safety Specialist | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 4110 | Requires Seat Belts on School Buses | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
June 25, 2018 | NJ | A 542 | Requires Schools Maintain a Supply of Opioid Antidotes | Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
April 12, 2018 | NJ | A 764 | Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (66 - 6) |
May 29, 2018 | CA | AB 2160 | Defines Playground Aides as Classified Employees | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
March 16, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
March 9, 2018 | ID | H 665 | Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools | Bill Passed - House (52 - 12) |
May 17, 2018 | RI | H 7419 | Prohibits Advertising of Unhealthy Food and Beverages in Schools | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
March 15, 2018 | AR | HB 1008 | Expands Tuition Savings Plan | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5) |
March 14, 2018 | AR | HB 1008 | Expands Tuition Savings Plan | Bill Passed - House (62 - 16) |
March 28, 2018 | OK | HB 1010 | Increases Taxes to Provide More Funding for Education | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10) |
March 26, 2018 | OK | HB 1010 | Increases Taxes to Provide More Funding for Education | Bill Passed - House (79 - 19) |
Feb. 27, 2018 | SD | HB 1199 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18) |
Feb. 13, 2018 | SD | HB 1199 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (37 - 28) |
March 8, 2018 | IN | HB 1399 | Requires Teacher Licenses for Math and Science Courses | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 11) |
March 14, 2018 | IN | HB 1426 | Amends Education Standards | Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 25) |
June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1448 | Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 4) |
June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1448 | Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 4) |
June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1448 | Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 1) |
June 22, 2018 | PA | HB 1448 | Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (193 - 1) |
March 25, 2018 | MS | HB 1593 | Appropriates Funds for Educational Television | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 16) |
April 9, 2018 | MD | HB 16 | Establishes Communication Campaign for Near Completers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 48) |
April 18, 2018 | CO | HB 18-1391 | Establishes Requirements for Sexual Misconduct Policies | Bill Passed - House (34 - 28) |
June 7, 2018 | OH | HB 21 | Amends Certain Charter School Enrollment Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 0) |
April 23, 2018 | TN | HB 2114 | Requires Scholarship Students to Complete 30 Credits per Year | Bill Failed - House (41 - 46) |
Feb. 15, 2018 | AZ | HB 2172 | Authorizes Non-Lethal Weapons on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (35 - 22) |
April 4, 2018 | TN | HB 2331 | Requires Schools to Report on Use of Corporal Punishment | Bill Passed - House (80 - 1) |
April 19, 2018 | AZ | HB 2563 | Establishes Free Speech Policy for College Campuses | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13) |
March 8, 2018 | KS | HB 2757 | Authorizes Public School Teacher Tenure | Bill Passed - House (73 - 48) |
April 14, 2018 | AK | HB 287 | Appropriates Funds for Education | Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4) |
June 27, 2018 | OH | HB 318 | Requires New Training Guidelines for School Resource Officers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 20) |
April 11, 2018 | OH | HB 318 | Requires New Training Guidelines for School Resource Officers | Bill Passed - House (92 - 2) |
April 14, 2018 | AK | HB 339 | Appropriates Funds for Education | Bill Passed - House (22 - 18) |
April 11, 2018 | OH | HB 360 | Requires Additional Anti-Bullying Policies in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (69 - 27) |
June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 4069 | Reduces College Credits Required for Substitute Teachers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 46) |
June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 4069 | Reduces College Credits Required for Substitute Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 10) |
Feb. 20, 2018 | OR | HB 4113 | Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size | Bill Passed - House (33 - 25) |
March 27, 2018 | MD | HB 420 | Authorizes Certain In-State Students to Receive Financial Aid | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16) |
June 27, 2018 | OH | HB 428 | Requires Schools to Allow Student Religious Expression | Bill Passed - House (67 - 26) |
June 6, 2018 | NC | HB 514 | Authorizes Municipalities to Form Charter Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 53) |
June 4, 2018 | NC | HB 514 | Authorizes Municipalities to Form Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18) |
June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 5141 | Reduces Teacher Certification Requirements for Certain Vocational or Technical Trade Classes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 47) |
June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 5141 | Reduces Teacher Certification Requirements for Certain Vocational or Technical Trade Classes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 47) |
June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 5141 | Reduces Teacher Certification Requirements for Certain Vocational or Technical Trade Classes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
June 12, 2018 | MI | HB 5141 | Reduces Teacher Certification Requirements for Certain Vocational or Technical Trade Classes | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 11) |
May 9, 2018 | CT | HB 5170 | Authorizes Schools to Search Student Cell Phones | Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0) |
June 27, 2018 | OH | HB 540 | Amends Teacher Evaluation Process | Bill Passed - House (91 - 2) |
Dec. 13, 2018 | MI | HB 5526 | Establishes A to F Letter Rating System For Schools | Bill Passed - House (56 - 53) |
Dec. 13, 2018 | MI | HB 5526 | Establishes A to F Letter Rating System For Schools | Bill Passed - House (56 - 53) |
March 8, 2018 | MI | HB 5531 | Requires Expulsion of Students Convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct | Bill Passed - House (93 - 14) |
June 6, 2018 | PA | HB 564 | Requires Civics Test for High School Students | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (167 - 27) |
June 20, 2018 | OH | HB 58 | Require Instruction in Cursive Handwriting | Bill Passed - House (89 - 4) |
March 16, 2018 | KY | HB 604 | Requires Mental Health Workers in Schools | Bill Passed - House (81 - 1) |
May 24, 2018 | MI | HB 6043 | Requires School Districts to Report Inappropriate Conduct within 60 Days | Bill Passed - House (88 - 21) |
Feb. 21, 2018 | FL | HB 839 | Requires Schools to Display State Motto | Bill Passed - House (97 - 10) |
June 27, 2018 | OH | HB 87 | Establishes Policies on the Distribution of Funds Returned to the State from Community Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (70 - 23) |
Feb. 9, 2018 | NC | HB 90 | Limits Public School Class Sizes | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 5) |
April 3, 2018 | IA | HF 2467 | Establishes Guidelines for Handling Students' Lunch Debt | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 186) |
Feb. 9, 2018 | National | HR 1892 | Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28) |
March 14, 2018 | National | HR 4909 | STOP School Violence Act of 2018 | Bill Passed - House (407 - 10) |
June 26, 2018 | ME | LD 1869 | Establishes Total Cost of Education and State and Local Contributions to Education Budget for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 | Bill Passed - House (65 - 43) |
July 17, 2018 | National | PN 1391 | Nomination of James Blew to Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development for the Department of Education | (50 - 49) |
June 21, 2018 | NJ | S 2 | Amends School Funding Formula | Bill Passed - House (54 - 17) |
June 21, 2018 | NJ | S 2 | Amends School Funding Formula | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
June 25, 2018 | NJ | S 2055 | Authorizes Student Financial Aid for Incarcerated Persons | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
Aug. 27, 2018 | NJ | S 2293 | Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Issue $1 Billion in Funds for School Upgrades | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 0) |
Aug. 27, 2018 | NJ | S 2293 | Authorizes a Ballot Measure to Issue $1 Billion in Funds for School Upgrades | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 0) |
May 2, 2018 | RI | S 2350 | Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1) |
April 25, 2018 | RI | S 2353 | Requires Educators to Report Sexual Abuse | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0) |
June 20, 2018 | NY | S 2493 | Prohibits College Funds for Organizations that Promote Boycotts of Allied Nations | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 12) |
July 12, 2018 | MA | S 2595 | Establishes Commission to Study Lead in Drinking Water at Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
June 21, 2018 | NJ | S 2711 | Requires Child Abuse Training for Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
May 2, 2018 | SC | S 28 | Amends Rule Related to Time-Off Credits For Religious Exemption | Bill Passed - House (84 - 20) |
Feb. 26, 2018 | NJ | S 414 | Requires Employment Background Checks for Teachers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0) |
April 12, 2018 | NJ | S 699 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (49 - 24) |
March 26, 2018 | NJ | S 699 | Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10) |
Oct. 9, 2018 | PA | SB 1090 | Increases Anti Hazing Penalties and Regulations | Bill Passed - House (191 - 0) |
Oct. 15, 2018 | PA | SB 1095 | Authorizes Alternatives to Graduate for Keystone Test | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0) |
Sept. 26, 2018 | PA | SB 1098 | Establishes School Bus Safety Grant Program Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
Sept. 26, 2018 | PA | SB 1098 | Establishes School Bus Safety Grant Program Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0) |
March 3, 2018 | OR | SB 1563 | Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (36 - 22) |
March 3, 2018 | OR | SB 1563 | Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid | Bill Passed - House (36 - 22) |
April 27, 2018 | OK | SB 1600 | Amends General Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (63 - 31) |
April 17, 2018 | CO | SB 18-083 | Establishes Educational Tax Credit System | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
May 9, 2018 | CO | SB 18-272 | Establishes School Grants for Suicide-Prevention Training | Bill Passed - House (53 - 12) |
May 7, 2018 | CO | SB 18-272 | Establishes School Grants for Suicide-Prevention Training | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
June 27, 2018 | OH | SB 216 | Amends Regulations Relating to Public Education | Bill Passed - House (60 - 33) |
April 4, 2018 | TN | SB 2260 | Reorganizes University of Tennessee Board of Trustees | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7) |
March 29, 2018 | TN | SB 2260 | Reorganizes University of Tennessee Board of Trustees | Bill Passed - House (51 - 41) |
May 23, 2018 | IL | SB 2428 | Requires Schools Provide Lunch to All Students | Bill Passed - House (66 - 44) |
May 16, 2018 | OH | SB 246 | Limits Out-of-School Suspensions and Expulsions For Students in Kindergarten to Third Grade | (32 - 0) |
May 16, 2018 | OH | SB 246 | Limits Out-of-School Suspensions and Expulsions For Students in Kindergarten to Third Grade | (32 - 0) |
April 19, 2018 | IL | SB 2546 | Authorizes Graduate Research Assistant Unions | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19) |
May 30, 2018 | IL | SB 2546 | Authorizes Graduate Research Assistant Unions | Bill Passed - House (66 - 49) |
March 19, 2018 | TN | SB 2661 | Requires Public Schools to Display National Motto | Bill Passed - House (81 - 8) |
Feb. 20, 2018 | WV | SB 267 | Increases State Public Worker Salaries | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37) |
Feb. 20, 2018 | WV | SB 267 | Increases State Public Worker Salaries | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37) |