Pennsylvania Education Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Nov. 12, 2025 PA SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
Oct. 22, 2025 PA SB 246 Requires Schools to Notify Families of Weapons Incidents Within 24 Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA HB 1405 Amends the Public School Code to Provide for Career and Technical Teacher Certifications Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Oct. 7, 2025 PA HB 1405 Amends the Public School Code to Provide for Career and Technical Teacher Certifications Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
Aug. 12, 2025 PA SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
June 26, 2025 PA HB 865 Specifies Guidelines for Military Family Educational Program Grant Eligibility for Pennsylvania National Guard Members Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
May 6, 2025 PA SB 9 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Participating on Female Sports Teams in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA SB 801 Increases and Improves Early Childhood Literacy Rates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 9, 2024 PA SB 1274 Amends the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 8, 2024 PA HB 2383 Establishes a Program of Retired Volunteers Willing to Share Life Lessons, Experience and Hobbies with Students Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 1154 Amends the Public School Code of 1949 for Higher Education Institutions and Establishes Performance Based Funding Council Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 11, 2024 PA SB 700 Appropriates Funding for Cell Phone Pouches in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 897 Expands Programs Related to Higher Education Institutions and Outlines Protocol for Credits Needed when a Student is Transferring Into the Institution Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
July 11, 2024 PA HB 663 Establishes New Guidelines for Students, Families, and School Districts During Residency Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
July 3, 2024 PA SB 1207 Authorizes School Districts to Prohibit Student Cell Phone Use During School Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
June 11, 2024 PA SB 1155 Establishes a Higher Education Task Force to Improve Higher Education and Career Preparation Programs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
June 11, 2024 PA SB 1155 Establishes a Higher Education Task Force to Improve Higher Education and Career Preparation Programs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
June 11, 2024 PA SB 1151 Establishes the Grow PA Merit Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
June 11, 2024 PA SB 1151 Establishes the Grow PA Merit Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
June 10, 2024 PA SB 1153 Expands the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program Nationwide Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 10, 2024 PA SB 1153 Expands the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program Nationwide Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 10, 2024 PA SB 1152 Expands the Eligibility Requirements for Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
March 18, 2024 PA SB 559 Amends State Definitions for Athletic Trainers Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA HB 301 Appropriates Millions for Various State Education Funding Costs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
Dec. 13, 2023 PA SB 843 Amends Various Education Regulations and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
Oct. 24, 2023 PA SB 7 Authorizes Parents to Review Explicit materials in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Oct. 24, 2023 PA SB 7 Authorizes Parents to Review Explicit materials in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 29, 2023 PA HB 479 Establishes Taxpayer-Funded Private School Tuition Vouchers for Children in Low-Performing School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 28, 2023 PA SB 750 Requires High School Seniors to Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
June 28, 2023 PA SB 750 Requires High School Seniors to Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
Jan. 18, 2023 PA SB 84 Authorizes Teacher Religious Garb in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 25, 2022 PA HB 2633 Amends Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Language in Previous State Law Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Oct. 18, 2022 PA SB 1243 Requires High School Students Pass a Financial Literacy Class Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
June 29, 2022 PA SB 1278 Prohibits Instruction on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity for K-5 Students Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
June 20, 2022 PA SB 1283 Prohibits Fetal Tissue Research at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
June 7, 2022 PA SB 1191 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
June 25, 2021 PA SB 381 Authorizes College Athletes to Profit Off Their Name, Image, and Likeness Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
Nov. 18, 2020 PA SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Sept. 9, 2020 PA HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
July 15, 2020 PA SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
June 10, 2020 PA SB 1125 Authorizes School Districts to Extend Time Needed to Pay Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
March 25, 2020 PA SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
Nov. 21, 2019 PA HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
Oct. 23, 2019 PA HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
June 27, 2019 PA HB 1615 Expands Tax Credit Education Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
June 11, 2019 PA HB 800 Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
June 11, 2019 PA HB 800 Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
June 11, 2019 PA SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
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)
Sept. 25, 2018 PA SB 521 Requires CPR Training in High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
Sept. 25, 2018 PA SB 521 Requires CPR Training in High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
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)
July 9, 2017 PA HB 97 Authorizes Budget Cuts for Low-Performing Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
July 9, 2017 PA HB 97 Authorizes Budget Cuts for Low-Performing Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Sept. 23, 2014 PA HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
July 8, 2014 PA HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
July 1, 2014 PA HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
Oct. 16, 2012 PA SB 1115 Amends Charter School Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
June 19, 2012 PA HB 1307 Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
Oct. 26, 2011 PA SB 1 Charter School Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
June 30, 2011 PA SB 330 Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
May 11, 2011 PA SB 612 Guidelines for Teacher Suspension Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
Nov. 17, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
Oct. 14, 2010 PA HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
May 2, 2006 PA HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/12 SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 9)
10/22 SB 246 Requires Schools to Notify Families of Weapons Incidents Within 24 Hours Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (48 - 2)
10/07 HB 1405 Amends the Public School Code to Provide for Career and Technical Teacher Certifications Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
10/07 HB 1405 Amends the Public School Code to Provide for Career and Technical Teacher Certifications Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
8/12 SB 160 Appropriates Funds for the General Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
6/26 HB 865 Specifies Guidelines for Military Family Educational Program Grant Eligibility for Pennsylvania National Guard Members Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
5/06 SB 9 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Participating on Female Sports Teams in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 18)
10/09 SB 801 Increases and Improves Early Childhood Literacy Rates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/09 SB 1274 Amends the Sign Language Interpreter and Transliterator State Registration Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/08 HB 2383 Establishes a Program of Retired Volunteers Willing to Share Life Lessons, Experience and Hobbies with Students Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 1)
7/11 SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 SB 1154 Amends the Public School Code of 1949 for Higher Education Institutions and Establishes Performance Based Funding Council Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (37 - 12)
7/11 SB 1150 Establishes the Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/11 SB 700 Appropriates Funding for Cell Phone Pouches in Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
7/11 HB 897 Expands Programs Related to Higher Education Institutions and Outlines Protocol for Credits Needed when a Student is Transferring Into the Institution Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 3)
7/11 HB 663 Establishes New Guidelines for Students, Families, and School Districts During Residency Disputes Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
7/03 SB 1207 Authorizes School Districts to Prohibit Student Cell Phone Use During School Bill Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
6/11 SB 1155 Establishes a Higher Education Task Force to Improve Higher Education and Career Preparation Programs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
6/11 SB 1155 Establishes a Higher Education Task Force to Improve Higher Education and Career Preparation Programs Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
6/11 SB 1151 Establishes the Grow PA Merit Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
6/11 SB 1151 Establishes the Grow PA Merit Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 1)
6/10 SB 1153 Expands the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program Nationwide Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/10 SB 1153 Expands the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program Nationwide Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/10 SB 1152 Expands the Eligibility Requirements for Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 3)
3/18 SB 559 Amends State Definitions for Athletic Trainers Bill Passed - Senate (47 - 1)
12/13 HB 301 Appropriates Millions for Various State Education Funding Costs Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 7)
12/13 SB 843 Amends Various Education Regulations and Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (45 - 5)
10/24 SB 7 Authorizes Parents to Review Explicit materials in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
10/24 SB 7 Authorizes Parents to Review Explicit materials in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/29 HB 479 Establishes Taxpayer-Funded Private School Tuition Vouchers for Children in Low-Performing School Districts Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/28 SB 750 Requires High School Seniors to Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
6/28 SB 750 Requires High School Seniors to Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Bill Passed - Senate (46 - 4)
1/18 SB 84 Authorizes Teacher Religious Garb in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/25 HB 2633 Amends Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Language in Previous State Law Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
10/18 SB 1243 Requires High School Students Pass a Financial Literacy Class Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 18)
6/29 SB 1278 Prohibits Instruction on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity for K-5 Students Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
6/20 SB 1283 Prohibits Fetal Tissue Research at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (44 - 5)
6/07 SB 1191 Prohibits Transgender Girls from Playing on Female Sports Teams Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 20)
6/25 SB 381 Authorizes College Athletes to Profit Off Their Name, Image, and Likeness Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 10)
11/18 SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
9/09 HB 2787 Authorizes Individual School Districts to Make Decisions Surrounding Activities and COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
7/15 SB 1216 Authorizes the Issuance of Temporary Teaching Certificates Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
6/10 SB 1125 Authorizes School Districts to Extend Time Needed to Pay Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
3/25 SB 751 Authorizes Financial Assistance for Schools Amid COVID-19-Related Shutdown Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (50 - 0)
11/21 HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 14)
10/23 HB 49 Authorizes School Police to Make Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 20)
6/27 HB 1615 Expands Tax Credit Education Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 13)
6/11 HB 800 Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
6/11 HB 800 Increases Amount of Tax Credits Available for Students to Attend the School of Their Choice Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
6/11 SB 621 Authorizes Schools to Arm Security Guards Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
10/15 SB 1095 Authorizes Alternatives to Graduate for Keystone Test Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
9/26 SB 1098 Establishes School Bus Safety Grant Program Fund Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
9/26 SB 1098 Establishes School Bus Safety Grant Program Fund Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
9/25 SB 521 Requires CPR Training in High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
9/25 SB 521 Requires CPR Training in High Schools Bill Passed - Senate (49 - 0)
6/22 HB 1448 Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
6/22 HB 1448 Requires Lead Testing in School Water Systems Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (44 - 4)
7/09 HB 97 Authorizes Budget Cuts for Low-Performing Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
7/09 HB 97 Authorizes Budget Cuts for Low-Performing Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
9/23 HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette Tax Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (39 - 11)
7/08 HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 5)
7/01 HB 1177 Authorizes Cigarette and Hotel Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
10/16 SB 1115 Amends Charter School Laws Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 16)
6/19 HB 1307 Authorizes State Control of Financially Distressed Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 21)
10/26 SB 1 Charter School Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
6/30 SB 330 Amending The Taxpayer Relief Act Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 17)
5/11 SB 612 Guidelines for Teacher Suspension Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 12)
11/17 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (42 - 7)
10/14 HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (41 - 8)
5/02 HB 39 Property Taxes (Special Session) Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)

arrow_upward