Texas Education 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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Aug. 27, 2025 TX HB 8 Repeals the STAAR Academic Test and Replaces it With 3 Smaller Tests Taken Throughout the Year Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
Aug. 27, 2025 TX HB 8 Repeals the STAAR Academic Test and Replaces it With 3 Smaller Tests Taken Throughout the Year Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
Aug. 12, 2025 TX SB 8 (Special Session) Repeals the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Assessment Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
June 28, 2025 TX SJR 59 Establishes the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund as Special Funds to Fund Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases Related to Educational Programs Offered by the Texas State Technical College System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
June 28, 2025 TX SJR 59 Establishes the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund as Special Funds to Fund Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases Related to Educational Programs Offered by the Texas State Technical College System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
June 1, 2025 TX SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
May 31, 2025 TX SB 37 Authorizes Political Appointees to Review and Approve or Reject Courses and the Hiring of a Provost or Chief Academic Officer Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
May 31, 2025 TX SB 12 Authorizes Parents the Right to Prohibit Topics Regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Being Taught to Their Children Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
May 31, 2025 TX SB 13 Establishes Sanctions Within All Public Schools to Regulate the Books Available to Students and Ban Books that are Deemed Inappropriate Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 8)
May 30, 2025 TX SB 974 Prohibits the Influence of Texas School District Trustees and Authorizes District Employees to Serve on Appraisal Review Boards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
May 30, 2025 TX SB 974 Prohibits the Influence of Texas School District Trustees and Authorizes District Employees to Serve on Appraisal Review Boards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
May 28, 2025 TX SB 10 Requires the 10 Commandments be Displayed in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 27, 2025 TX HB 2243 Establishes the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 27, 2025 TX HB 2243 Establishes the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
May 22, 2025 TX HB 6 Authorizes K-12 Public Schools to Discipline Students with Out-of-School Suspensions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
May 22, 2025 TX HB 6 Authorizes K-12 Public Schools to Discipline Students with Out-of-School Suspensions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
May 9, 2025 TX HB 353 Establishes Criminal Penalty for Trespassing Near Schools or Day-Care Centers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
April 3, 2025 TX SB 27 Authorizes Teachers to Immediately Remove from Class a Student Who is Bullying Others or is Verbally Abusive Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
April 1, 2025 TX SB 965 Authorizes Teachers the Right to Pray While Working in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 26, 2025 TX SB 24 Requires Public Schools in the State to Include Lessons on Communism and its Ideologies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
March 26, 2025 TX SB 24 Requires Public Schools in the State to Include Lessons on Communism and its Ideologies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
March 26, 2025 TX SB 112 Specifies Parental Bill of Rights Relating to Electronic Educational Records Concerning Their Child Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 10 Requires the 10 Commandments be Displayed in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 12 Authorizes Parents the Right to Prohibit Topics Regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Being Taught to Their Children Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
March 19, 2025 TX SB 13 Establishes Sanctions Within All Public Schools to Regulate the Books Available to Students and Ban Books that are Deemed Inappropriate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
March 18, 2025 TX SB 11 Requires Schools to Provide Time for Students to Practice Prayer of Any Religion During School Hours Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
Feb. 26, 2025 TX SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2025 TX SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
Feb. 5, 2025 TX SB 2 Establishes Education Savings Accounts or School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
Oct. 12, 2023 TX SB 1 Establishes a School Choice Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
April 20, 2023 TX SB 1515 Requires Every School Classroom Display the 10 Commandments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
April 19, 2023 TX SB 17 Repeals Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings and Initiatives at State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 29, 2023 TX SB 15 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
Aug. 11, 2021 TX SB 15 Appropriates Funds for Virtual Learning Until September 2023 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
July 16, 2021 TX SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
May 27, 2021 TX HB 4545 Establishes Requirements for Accelerated Instruction for Students who Fail to Pass State Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
May 26, 2021 TX HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
May 22, 2021 TX HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
April 22, 2021 TX SB 1385 Authorized College Athletes to be Paid for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
April 15, 2021 TX SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
July 26, 2017 TX SB 3 Amends Regulations of Public and Charter School Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
July 25, 2017 TX SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 1, 2017 TX SB 463 Amends High-School Diploma Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
April 27, 2017 TX SB 457 Appropriates Funds for Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
April 4, 2017 TX SB 576 Establishes Reporting Standards for Sexual Assault on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
March 30, 2017 TX SB 3 Appropriates State Funds for Education in Non-Rural Areas Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 30, 2017 TX SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 30, 2017 TX SB 3 Appropriates State Funds for Education in Non-Rural Areas Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 31, 2015 TX SB 6 Establishes Rating System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 19, 2015 TX SB 11 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
May 22, 2013 TX HB 1009 Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
April 30, 2013 TX SB 1907 Authorizes Firearms in Vehicles on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
June 6, 2011 TX SB 8 Management and Operation of Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
June 3, 2011 TX SB 1 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
May 28, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
May 23, 2011 TX HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
May 9, 2011 TX SB 1581 Concealed Handguns on Campus Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
May 4, 2011 TX HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
March 25, 2009 TX SB 175 Capping Automatic College Admissions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
May 23, 2007 TX CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
May 10, 2006 TX F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
May 10, 2006 TX F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
May 9, 2006 TX CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
Date No. Title Outcome
8/27 HB 8 Repeals the STAAR Academic Test and Replaces it With 3 Smaller Tests Taken Throughout the Year Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
8/27 HB 8 Repeals the STAAR Academic Test and Replaces it With 3 Smaller Tests Taken Throughout the Year Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 5)
8/12 SB 8 (Special Session) Repeals the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) Assessment Program Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 6)
6/28 SJR 59 Establishes the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund as Special Funds to Fund Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases Related to Educational Programs Offered by the Texas State Technical College System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
6/28 SJR 59 Establishes the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund as Special Funds to Fund Capital Projects and Equipment Purchases Related to Educational Programs Offered by the Texas State Technical College System Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
6/01 SB 2972 Requires the Governing Boards of Institutions of Higher Education to Designate Areas on Campus for Public Forum and Prohibits Certain Activities During Student Demonstrations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 9)
5/31 SB 37 Authorizes Political Appointees to Review and Approve or Reject Courses and the Hiring of a Provost or Chief Academic Officer Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
5/31 SB 12 Authorizes Parents the Right to Prohibit Topics Regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Being Taught to Their Children Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
5/31 SB 13 Establishes Sanctions Within All Public Schools to Regulate the Books Available to Students and Ban Books that are Deemed Inappropriate Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 8)
5/30 SB 974 Prohibits the Influence of Texas School District Trustees and Authorizes District Employees to Serve on Appraisal Review Boards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
5/30 SB 974 Prohibits the Influence of Texas School District Trustees and Authorizes District Employees to Serve on Appraisal Review Boards Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
5/28 SB 10 Requires the 10 Commandments be Displayed in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/27 HB 2243 Establishes the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/27 HB 2243 Establishes the Texas Commission on Teacher Job Satisfaction and Retention Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
5/22 HB 6 Authorizes K-12 Public Schools to Discipline Students with Out-of-School Suspensions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
5/22 HB 6 Authorizes K-12 Public Schools to Discipline Students with Out-of-School Suspensions Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
5/09 HB 353 Establishes Criminal Penalty for Trespassing Near Schools or Day-Care Centers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
4/03 SB 27 Authorizes Teachers to Immediately Remove from Class a Student Who is Bullying Others or is Verbally Abusive Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
4/01 SB 965 Authorizes Teachers the Right to Pray While Working in Texas Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/26 SB 24 Requires Public Schools in the State to Include Lessons on Communism and its Ideologies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
3/26 SB 24 Requires Public Schools in the State to Include Lessons on Communism and its Ideologies Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 6)
3/26 SB 112 Specifies Parental Bill of Rights Relating to Electronic Educational Records Concerning Their Child Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
3/19 SB 10 Requires the 10 Commandments be Displayed in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/19 SB 12 Authorizes Parents the Right to Prohibit Topics Regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Being Taught to Their Children Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
3/19 SB 13 Establishes Sanctions Within All Public Schools to Regulate the Books Available to Students and Ban Books that are Deemed Inappropriate Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 8)
3/18 SB 11 Requires Schools to Provide Time for Students to Practice Prayer of Any Religion During School Hours Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 7)
2/26 SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/26 SB 26 Increases Funding for Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
2/05 SB 2 Establishes Education Savings Accounts or School Vouchers Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
10/12 SB 1 Establishes a School Choice Voucher Program Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
4/20 SB 1515 Requires Every School Classroom Display the 10 Commandments Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
4/19 SB 17 Repeals Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Trainings and Initiatives at State Universities Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/29 SB 15 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
8/11 SB 15 Appropriates Funds for Virtual Learning Until September 2023 Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
7/16 SB 3 Prohibits Teaching "Critical Race Theory" in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 4)
5/27 HB 4545 Establishes Requirements for Accelerated Instruction for Students who Fail to Pass State Assessments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 5)
5/26 HB 2497 Requires Patriotic Texas History Materials be Distributed through the DMV Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 9)
5/22 HB 547 Authorizes Homeschooled Students to Participate in University Interscholastic League Activities Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
5/22 HB 3979 Prohibits the Teaching of "Critical Race Theory" in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
4/22 SB 1385 Authorized College Athletes to be Paid for the Use of their Likeness Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 2)
4/15 SB 29 Prohibits Transgender Student's from Playing on Sports Teams That do Not Match their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
7/26 SB 3 Amends Regulations of Public and Charter School Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
7/25 SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/01 SB 463 Amends High-School Diploma Eligibility Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 3)
4/27 SB 457 Appropriates Funds for Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
4/04 SB 576 Establishes Reporting Standards for Sexual Assault on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 1)
3/30 SB 3 Appropriates State Funds for Education in Non-Rural Areas Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/30 SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/30 SB 3 Appropriates State Funds for Education in Non-Rural Areas Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/31 SB 6 Establishes Rating System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/19 SB 11 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
5/22 HB 1009 Establishes "School Marshal" as a New Category of Law Enforcement for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
4/30 SB 1907 Authorizes Firearms in Vehicles on College Campuses Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 4)
6/06 SB 8 Management and Operation of Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 12)
6/03 SB 1 2011-2013 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
5/28 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 11)
5/23 HB 359 Corporal Punishment in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 2)
5/09 SB 1581 Concealed Handguns on Campus Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 11)
5/04 HB 1 2011-2013 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
3/25 SB 175 Capping Automatic College Admissions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
5/23 CSHB 3678 Religious Expression at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
5/10 F 4 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (10 - 20)
5/10 F 3 Cigarette Tax Revenue Allocation Amendment Amendment Rejected - Senate (12 - 18)
5/09 CSHB 2 Property Tax Reduction Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)

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