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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 14, 2011 | MI | SB618 | Repeals Limit on Number of Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
Dec. 14, 2011 | PA | H Amdt 7732 | Tuition Vouchers for Charter Schools | Amendment Rejected - House (90 - 105) |
Nov. 30, 2011 | NH | CACR 14 | Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Legislature to Set Standards for Public Education | Amendment Rejected - House (114 - 264) |
Nov. 17, 2011 | National | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121) |
Nov. 9, 2011 | MI | HB 4005 | School Board Election Dates | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 39) |
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) |
Nov. 1, 2011 | WI | SB 45 | Administration of Medications to Students | Bill Passed - House (63 - 32) |
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) |
Aug. 24, 2011 | MI | HB 4005 | School Board Election Dates | Bill Passed - House (72 - 36) |
July 19, 2011 | MN | HF 26 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (71 - 56) |
July 5, 2011 | CA | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
June 30, 2011 | MI | HB 4628 | Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 50) |
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 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 42) |
June 21, 2011 | OR | HB 2301 | Online Charter School Enrollment | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
June 21, 2011 | OR | SB 552 | Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction | Bill Passed - House (38 - 22) |
June 16, 2011 | TX | SB 8 | Management and Operation of Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (81 - 55) |
June 10, 2011 | TX | SB 1 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (83 - 62) |
June 9, 2011 | AL | HB 123 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 | Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 21) |
May 29, 2011 | TX | SB 1811 | Reduces Funding for State Agencies | Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 63) |
May 28, 2011 | TX | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 53) |
May 26, 2011 | MI | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50) |
May 25, 2011 | TX | HB 359 | Corporal Punishment in Public Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 64) |
May 25, 2011 | SC | H 3407 | Establishing a School Voucher Program | Bill Tabled - House (60 - 59) |
May 20, 2011 | TN | SB 113 | Teachers' Unions Negotiations | Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 40) |
May 19, 2011 | LA | HB 112 | Bullying in Public Schools | Bill Failed - House (43 - 54) |
May 18, 2011 | NH | SB 196 | Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal | Bill Passed - House (253 - 105) |
May 13, 2011 | TX | HB 359 | Corporal Punishment in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (84 - 55) |
May 10, 2011 | NV | AB 568 | 2011-2013 Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (26 - 16) |
May 6, 2011 | VT | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 48) |
May 5, 2011 | MI | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
May 4, 2011 | National | HR 1214 | Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
April 28, 2011 | MT | SB 329 | Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 49) |
April 28, 2011 | MI | HB 4481 | Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - House (56 - 50) |
April 28, 2011 | NC | HB 546 | Alternative Teacher Salary Plans | Bill Passed - House (72 - 42) |
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) |
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 13, 2011 | IN | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
April 13, 2011 | OR | SB 5552 | Department of Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
April 12, 2011 | AL | HB 123 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 | Bill Passed - House (64 - 36) |
April 7, 2011 | TN | HB 368 | Scientific Theories in the Classroom | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
April 3, 2011 | TX | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (98 - 49) |
April 1, 2011 | ID | S 1184 | Technology in the Classroom | Bill Passed - House (44 - 26) |
March 30, 2011 | IN | HB 1003 | School Vouchers | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
March 30, 2011 | National | HR 471 | School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. | Bill Passed - House (225 - 195) |
March 25, 2011 | AR | HB 1032 | Curriculum Standards for Bible Instruction in School Districts | Bill Passed - House (71 - 16) |
March 24, 2011 | TN | SB 1528 | Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
March 22, 2011 | IA | HF 534 | School Instructional Hours and Days | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
March 17, 2011 | AR | HB 1936 | Dress Codes for Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
March 16, 2011 | FL | SB 736 | Public School Evaluation Procedures | Bill Passed - House (80 - 39) |
March 14, 2011 | OR | HB 2287 | Public Charter Schools | Bill Failed - House (28 - 32) |
March 9, 2011 | UT | HB 183 | School District Leave Policies | Conference Report Adopted - House (42 - 28) |
March 9, 2011 | UT | SB 73 | Public School Teacher Tenure Modifications | Bill Passed - House (45 - 28) |
March 8, 2011 | NM | HB 172 | Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline | Bill Passed - House (36 - 31) |
March 7, 2011 | AZ | HB 2415 | Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools | Bill Passed - House (38 - 21) |
March 4, 2011 | ID | H 104a | Teacher Union Activities | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
March 3, 2011 | NV | AB 183 | Revising Payment for Outstanding Bonds in School Districts | Bill Passed - House (25 - 16) |
March 3, 2011 | MN | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 50) |
March 3, 2011 | UT | HB 301 | School District Property Tax Revisions | Bill Passed - House (39 - 31) |
March 2, 2011 | WV | HB 2879 | One-Time Pay Raise for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (78 - 22) |
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. 22, 2011 | MT | HB 456 | Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (67 - 30) |
Feb. 18, 2011 | ND | HB 1412 | Teaching Personal Finance in Middle Schools | Bill Failed - House (47 - 47) |
Feb. 18, 2011 | ND | HB 1258 | Contribution Retirement Plans for Teachers | Bill Failed - House (38 - 56) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | IA | HF 260 | House Rule School Governance | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
Feb. 16, 2011 | WY | SF 106 | School Finances | Bill Failed - House (20 - 35) |
Feb. 16, 2011 | UT | HB 75 | Guns On School Premises | Bill Passed - House (58 - 15) |
Feb. 16, 2011 | OH | HB 30 | Reduce Required School Funding | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | IN | HB 1002 | Charter School Amendments | Bill Passed - House (59 - 37) |
Feb. 1, 2011 | VA | HJ 593 | Free Exercise of Religion | Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33) |
Feb. 1, 2011 | AR | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Passed - House (53 - 41) |
Jan. 31, 2011 | AR | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Failed - House (46 - 47) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
12/14 | SB618 | Repeals Limit on Number of Charter Schools | Bill Passed - House (58 - 49) |
12/14 | H Amdt 7732 | Tuition Vouchers for Charter Schools | Amendment Rejected - House (90 - 105) |
11/30 | CACR 14 | Constitutional Amendment Authorizing the Legislature to Set Standards for Public Education | Amendment Rejected - House (114 - 264) |
11/17 | HR 2112 | Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration | Conference Report Adopted - House (298 - 121) |
11/09 | HB 4005 | School Board Election Dates | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 39) |
11/09 | SB 2147 | Paying Regional Superintendents | Bill Failed - House (70 - 43) |
11/09 | SB 2147 | Paying Regional Superintendents | Bill Passed - House (74 - 36) |
11/01 | SB 45 | Administration of Medications to Students | Bill Passed - House (63 - 32) |
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) |
8/24 | HB 4005 | School Board Election Dates | Bill Passed - House (72 - 36) |
7/19 | HF 26 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (71 - 56) |
7/05 | SB 48 | Requires Teaching Gay History | Bill Passed - House (50 - 26) |
6/30 | HB 4628 | Amends Collective Bargaining Rights for Public Teachers | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 50) |
6/30 | SB 330 | Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act | Bill Passed - House (109 - 86) |
6/30 | HB 4625 | Teacher Tenure Standards | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 42) |
6/21 | HB 2301 | Online Charter School Enrollment | Bill Passed - House (33 - 27) |
6/21 | SB 552 | Establishes the Governor as the Superintendent of Public Instruction | Bill Passed - House (38 - 22) |
6/16 | SB 8 | Management and Operation of Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (81 - 55) |
6/10 | SB 1 | 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget | Bill Passed - House (83 - 62) |
6/09 | HB 123 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 | Veto Override Passed - House (78 - 21) |
5/29 | SB 1811 | Reduces Funding for State Agencies | Conference Report Adopted - House (84 - 63) |
5/28 | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (97 - 53) |
5/26 | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 50) |
5/25 | HB 359 | Corporal Punishment in Public Schools | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (80 - 64) |
5/25 | H 3407 | Establishing a School Voucher Program | Bill Tabled - House (60 - 59) |
5/20 | SB 113 | Teachers' Unions Negotiations | Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 40) |
5/19 | HB 112 | Bullying in Public Schools | Bill Failed - House (43 - 54) |
5/18 | SB 196 | Guidelines for Teacher Dismissal | Bill Passed - House (253 - 105) |
5/13 | HB 359 | Corporal Punishment in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (84 - 55) |
5/10 | AB 568 | 2011-2013 Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (26 - 16) |
5/06 | H 436 | Tax Law Amendments | Conference Report Adopted - House (94 - 48) |
5/05 | HB 4325 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2013 | Bill Passed - House (57 - 53) |
5/04 | HR 1214 | Repealing Funding for School-Based Health Center Construction | Bill Passed - House (235 - 191) |
4/28 | SB 329 | Oil and Natural Gas Revenue for Schools | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 49) |
4/28 | HB 4481 | Public School Employees' Pension and Tax Exemption | Bill Passed - House (56 - 50) |
4/28 | HB 546 | Alternative Teacher Salary Plans | Bill Passed - House (72 - 42) |
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) |
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) |
4/13 | SB 575 | Collective Bargaining for School Employees | Bill Passed - House (52 - 40) |
4/13 | SB 5552 | Department of Education Appropriations | Bill Passed - House (32 - 28) |
4/12 | HB 123 | Education Appropriations for 2011-2012 | Bill Passed - House (64 - 36) |
4/07 | HB 368 | Scientific Theories in the Classroom | Bill Passed - House (70 - 23) |
4/03 | HB 1 | 2011-2013 Budget | Bill Passed - House (98 - 49) |
4/01 | S 1184 | Technology in the Classroom | Bill Passed - House (44 - 26) |
3/30 | HB 1003 | School Vouchers | Bill Passed - House (56 - 42) |
3/30 | HR 471 | School Vouchers for Washington, D.C. | Bill Passed - House (225 - 195) |
3/25 | HB 1032 | Curriculum Standards for Bible Instruction in School Districts | Bill Passed - House (71 - 16) |
3/24 | SB 1528 | Amends Requirements for Teacher Tenure | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
3/22 | HF 534 | School Instructional Hours and Days | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
3/17 | HB 1936 | Dress Codes for Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (73 - 19) |
3/16 | SB 736 | Public School Evaluation Procedures | Bill Passed - House (80 - 39) |
3/14 | HB 2287 | Public Charter Schools | Bill Failed - House (28 - 32) |
3/09 | HB 183 | School District Leave Policies | Conference Report Adopted - House (42 - 28) |
3/09 | SB 73 | Public School Teacher Tenure Modifications | Bill Passed - House (45 - 28) |
3/08 | HB 172 | Prohibiting Corporal Punishment as School Discipline | Bill Passed - House (36 - 31) |
3/07 | HB 2415 | Punishment Guidelines for Bullying in Schools | Bill Passed - House (38 - 21) |
3/04 | H 104a | Teacher Union Activities | Bill Passed - House (55 - 14) |
3/03 | AB 183 | Revising Payment for Outstanding Bonds in School Districts | Bill Passed - House (25 - 16) |
3/03 | SF 40 | Amends Licensing and Codes for Education | Conference Report Adopted - House (81 - 50) |
3/03 | HB 301 | School District Property Tax Revisions | Bill Passed - House (39 - 31) |
3/02 | HB 2879 | One-Time Pay Raise for State Employees | Bill Passed - House (78 - 22) |
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) |
2/22 | HB 456 | Sexual Education in K-12 Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (67 - 30) |
2/18 | HB 1412 | Teaching Personal Finance in Middle Schools | Bill Failed - House (47 - 47) |
2/18 | HB 1258 | Contribution Retirement Plans for Teachers | Bill Failed - House (38 - 56) |
2/17 | HF 260 | House Rule School Governance | Bill Passed - House (65 - 30) |
2/16 | SF 106 | School Finances | Bill Failed - House (20 - 35) |
2/16 | HB 75 | Guns On School Premises | Bill Passed - House (58 - 15) |
2/16 | HB 30 | Reduce Required School Funding | Bill Passed - House (59 - 36) |
2/08 | HB 1002 | Charter School Amendments | Bill Passed - House (59 - 37) |
2/01 | HJ 593 | Free Exercise of Religion | Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33) |
2/01 | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Passed - House (53 - 41) |
1/31 | HB 1049 | Prohibit Cell Phone Use in School Zones | Bill Failed - House (46 - 47) |