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 30, 2009 | CA | SB 74 | Deferring Education Funding (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
May 5, 2006 | CA | AB 127 | Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 12) |
July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 2 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 18) |
Aug. 13, 2008 | CA | AB 86 | Cyber-Bullying Enforcement | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22) |
Aug. 7, 2008 | CA | AB 2567 | Creation of "Harvey Milk Day" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (47 - 27) |
Dec. 18, 2008 | CA | ABx1 4 | Reducing Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
Aug. 5, 2008 | CA | AB 2567 | Creation of "Harvey Milk Day" | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
June 23, 2008 | CA | SB 606 | 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
July 24, 2009 | CA | ABX4 2 | Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Revisions: Education Revisions | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
June 9, 2008 | CA | SB 606 | 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation | Bill Failed - House (49 - 26) |
Aug. 11, 2008 | CA | AB 86 | Cyber-Bullying Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 12) |
May 11, 2006 | CA | SB 1437 | Sexual Diversity Content in Public School Curriculums | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
May 12, 2008 | CA | SB 1301 | Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
June 2, 2010 | CA | SB 969 | College Tuition Prices for Students | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
May 30, 2006 | CA | SB 1383 | Cal Grant Eligibility Without Passing High School Exit Exam | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
May 4, 2006 | CA | AB 127 | Kindergarten-University Public Education Bond Act of 2006 | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
June 7, 2007 | CA | SB 606 | 'No Child Left Behind' Implementation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
Dec. 10, 2009 | CA | ABx5 8 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (48 - 25) |
Aug. 31, 2008 | CA | SB 1301 | Extending Student Financial Aid Eligibility | Bill Passed - House (46 - 29) |
Aug. 21, 2006 | CA | SB 1437 | Prohibiting Discriminatory Content in Public School Curriculum | Bill Passed - House (47 - 31) |
May 15, 2008 | CA | SB 1322 | Communist Party Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Jan. 30, 2008 | CA | SB 908 | Global Warming Education in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
May 19, 2008 | CA | AB 2567 | Creation of "Harvey Milk Day" | Bill Passed - House (45 - 28) |
June 30, 2008 | CA | SB 823 | Private Postsecondary Education Regulation | Bill Failed - House (41 - 33) |
Sept. 11, 2013 | CA | AB 484 | Amends State School Testing Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 22) |
Aug. 21, 2014 | CA | AB 420 | Prohibits Student Suspensions for Certain Actions and Misconduct | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 16) |
June 29, 2020 | CA | SB 98 | Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 10) |
June 30, 2009 | CA | SB 64 | Education Spending Reductions (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
Sept. 12, 2023 | CA | SB 447 | Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 6) |
Sept. 13, 2023 | CA | SB 509 | Requires Mental Health Education and Training for All Certified Staff | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
Sept. 7, 2023 | CA | AB 1078 | Prohibits School Book Bans | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 17) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22) |
Sept. 13, 2023 | CA | AB 659 | Requires All Students be Vaccinated against HPV | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 13) |
Sept. 11, 2023 | CA | SB 4 | Authorizes Religious Institutions and Nonprofit Colleges to Build Affordable Housing on Their Property | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 2) |
Aug. 31, 2022 | CA | SB 1137 | Prohibits New Oil Wells Near Schools and Hospitals | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
Sept. 13, 2023 | CA | SB 509 | Requires Mental Health Education and Training for All Certified Staff | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 0) |
June 30, 2009 | CA | SB 80 | Shifting Redevelopment Agency Funds (2009-2010 Budget Financing) | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (25 - 14) |
Sept. 8, 2021 | CA | AB 101 | Requires High School Students to Complete Ethnic Studies Courses to Graduate | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 12) |
Aug. 26, 2014 | CA | SB 1174 | Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
Aug. 31, 2020 | CA | AB 331 | Establishes One Credit of Ethnic and Racial Studies as a High School Graduation Requirement | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 12) |
Aug. 30, 2020 | CA | AB 376 | Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (57 - 15) |
Aug. 31, 2020 | CA | SB 493 | Requires State-Funded Colleges to Clarify Sexual Assault Allegation Procedures | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 8) |
March 16, 2020 | CA | SB 117 | Appropriates Funds to Public Schools Amid COVID-19 Emergency Shut-Down | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 0) |
Sept. 10, 2013 | CA | AB 484 | Amends State School Testing Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
Aug. 31, 2010 | CA | SB 1381 | Increasing Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
Jan. 6, 2010 | CA | SBx5 4 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
Aug. 30, 2019 | CA | SB 223 | Authorizes Medical Cannabis on K-12 Campuses | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 7) |
Aug. 27, 2010 | CA | SB 1413 | Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 9) |
Feb. 2, 2012 | CA | SB 81 | Funding For School Transportation | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
Aug. 31, 2010 | CA | SB 1317 | Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
Sept. 11, 2009 | CA | SB 19 | Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
Aug. 29, 2012 | CA | AB 2132 | Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 27) |
Aug. 25, 2010 | CA | SB 970 | College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
Sept. 8, 2009 | CA | SB 572 | Harvey Milk Day | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
Sept. 6, 2011 | CA | AB 165 | Prohibits Public Schools from Charging Fees for Educational Activities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 24) |
Jan. 6, 2010 | CA | SBx5 1 | Education Law Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
Sept. 1, 2011 | CA | SB 185 | Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
Sept. 7, 2023 | CA | AB 1078 | Prohibits School Book Bans | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
March 17, 2011 | CA | SB 70 | Education Budget Amendments | Bill Passed - House (53 - 25) |
Sept. 5, 2019 | CA | AB 197 | Requires Schools To Offer A Full-day Kindergarten Program | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
Sept. 11, 2023 | CA | SB 447 | Authorizes State and Public University Employees to Resume Travel to Previously Restricted States | Bill Passed - House (64 - 12) |
Sept. 5, 2017 | CA | AB 841 | Restricts Marketing of Unhealthy Foods in Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
Sept. 9, 2019 | CA | AB 1505 | Establishes Public Oversight for Charter Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 11) |
Aug. 24, 2020 | CA | AB 901 | Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
Aug. 30, 2022 | CA | SB 1137 | Prohibits New Oil Wells Near Schools and Hospitals | Bill Passed - House (46 - 24) |
Aug. 28, 2020 | CA | AB 376 | Establishes Protections for Student Loan Borrowers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
Sept. 3, 2019 | CA | AB 624 | Requires Listing a Sexual Assault Hotline and Reproductive Health Care Telephone Numbers on Student Identification Cards | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
Aug. 12, 2019 | CA | AB 711 | Authorizes High School Document Name Changes Regarding Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0) |
Sept. 8, 2021 | CA | AB 101 | Requires High School Students to Complete Ethnic Studies Courses to Graduate | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3) |
Sept. 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
Aug. 19, 2014 | CA | AB 420 | Prohibits Student Suspensions for Certain Actions and Misconduct | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8) |
Sept. 10, 2019 | CA | AB 963 | Establishes a Student Civic and Voter Empowerment Program at Public Post-Secondary Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
Sept. 12, 2013 | CA | AB 375 | Amends Teacher Dismissal Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13) |
Aug. 24, 2020 | CA | AB 901 | Limits a School District's Ability to Refer Students to Probation Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
June 18, 2020 | CA | AB 1460 | Requires Ethnic Studies Course Completion in State Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
Sept. 12, 2023 | CA | AB 659 | Requires All Students be Vaccinated against HPV | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6) |
Aug. 25, 2014 | CA | SB 1174 | Repeals Prohibition on Bilingual Education | Bill Passed - House (53 - 26) |
Sept. 1, 2015 | CA | SB 707 | Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds | Bill Passed - House (54 - 24) |
Sept. 3, 2019 | CA | AB 624 | Requires Listing a Sexual Assault Hotline and Reproductive Health Care Telephone Numbers on Student Identification Cards | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
June 26, 2020 | CA | SB 98 | Establishes Distance Education Guidance and Standards | Bill Passed - House (57 - 17) |
July 3, 2013 | CA | AB 1266 | Amends Sex-Segregated School Programs and Activities | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 9) |
Sept. 2, 2021 | CA | AB 1550 | Establishes New Rules Regarding Higher Education Labor Relations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 11) |
Aug. 18, 2022 | CA | SB 70 | Requires Mandatory Kindergarten | Bill Passed - House (59 - 12) |
Sept. 4, 2019 | CA | AB 500 | Requires Paid Maternity Leave for California Teachers | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2) |
Sept. 14, 2019 | CA | SB 328 | Requires Later Start Times for Middle and High Schools | Bill Passed - House (44 - 20) |
Sept. 11, 2015 | CA | AB 329 | Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education | Bill Passed - House (51 - 26) |
Sept. 8, 2021 | CA | SJR 1 | Establishes Resolution Urging Student Debt Cancellation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9) |
March 17, 2011 | CA | SB 70 | Education Budget Amendments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
Jan. 5, 2010 | CA | SBx5 1 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (45 - 17) |
Sept. 3, 2009 | CA | SB 572 | Harvey Milk Day | Bill Passed - House (46 - 28) |
Sept. 11, 2009 | CA | SB 19 | Eliminating Prohibition on Utilizing CALTIDES Data to Evaluate Teachers | Bill Passed - House (53 - 20) |
Jan. 5, 2010 | CA | SBx5 4 | Education Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (41 - 27) |
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) |
Aug. 28, 2012 | CA | AB 2132 | Encourages State Universities to Include Public Service in Tenure Policy | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
Aug. 29, 2011 | CA | SB 185 | Considering Race, Ethnicity and Gender in College Admissions | Bill Passed - House (49 - 28) |
Aug. 30, 2010 | CA | SB 1317 | Parental Crime for Chronic Truancy | Bill Passed - House (58 - 17) |
Aug. 31, 2010 | CA | SB 1381 | Increasing Age Requirements for Kindergarten and First Grade | Bill Passed - House (51 - 18) |
Aug. 26, 2010 | CA | SB 1413 | Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias | Bill Passed - House (52 - 22) |
Aug. 23, 2010 | CA | SB 970 | College Vote-by-Mail Drop-Off Locations | Bill Passed - House (48 - 28) |