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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jan. 25, 2016 | VA | SB 335 | Prohibits State Employers From Inquiring about an Applicant's Criminal History | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15) |
Feb. 27, 2015 | VA | HB 1570 | Increases Regulations on Day Care Providers | Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 26) |
Feb. 17, 2015 | VA | HB 1626 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
Feb. 10, 2015 | VA | SB 1393 | Authorizes Changes to Lethal Injection Drug Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14) |
Feb. 3, 2015 | VA | SB 785 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 19) |
Jan. 20, 2015 | VA | SB 722 | Prohibits In-State Tuition for Students with Certain Temporary Visas | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20) |
April 8, 2014 | VA | SB 5003 | 2014-2016 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15) |
March 25, 2014 | VA | HB 5002 | 2014-2016 Biennium Budget | Bill Passed - House (68 - 31) |
Feb. 26, 2014 | VA | SB 236 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
Feb. 18, 2014 | VA | HB 1237 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11) |
Feb. 11, 2014 | VA | SB 617 | Repeals Requirement for an Ultrasound Prior to Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Feb. 11, 2014 | VA | SB 590 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | VA | HB 11 | Requires New Textbooks to Refer to The East Sea | Bill Passed - House (81 - 15) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | VA | HJ 9 | Encourages Congress to Convene a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Failed - House (29 - 67) |
Feb. 4, 2014 | VA | SB 324 | Extends Deadline for Implementation of a School Performance Grading System | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
Feb. 3, 2014 | VA | HB 706 | Authorizes Legislators to Hire Counsel to Represent Virginia in Court | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
Jan. 30, 2014 | VA | HB 63 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Interscholastic Programs | Bill Passed - House (60 - 39) |
Jan. 28, 2014 | VA | HB 1237 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
Jan. 22, 2014 | VA | HB 1052 | Authorizes the Use of Alternative Methods of Execution | Bill Passed - House (64 - 32) |
Jan. 21, 2014 | VA | SB 236 | Authorizes Religious Expression in Public Schools | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
Feb. 23, 2013 | VA | HB 2313 | Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15) |
Feb. 22, 2013 | VA | HB 2313 | Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 40) |
Feb. 20, 2013 | VA | SB 1324 | Establishes Education Institution and Board | Bill Passed - House (64 - 34) |
Feb. 20, 2013 | VA | SB 1256 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | Bill Passed - House (65 - 34) |
Feb. 19, 2013 | VA | HB 1907 | Increases Fines for Texting While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
Feb. 14, 2013 | VA | SB 1335 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9) |
Feb. 13, 2013 | VA | HB 2313 | Repeals the Retail Gas Tax and Establishes a Wholesale Gas Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
Feb. 12, 2013 | VA | SB 1335 | Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information | Bill Passed - House (76 - 23) |
Feb. 11, 2013 | VA | HB 1617 | Authorizes Student Organizations to Limit Membership | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
Feb. 5, 2013 | VA | SB 1324 | Establishes Education Institution and Board | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Feb. 5, 2013 | VA | SB 1256 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Feb. 5, 2013 | VA | SB 719 | Amends Voting Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Feb. 4, 2013 | VA | SB 721 | Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20) |
Feb. 4, 2013 | VA | HB 1999 | Requires the Development of a School Grading System | Bill Passed - House (54 - 40) |
Jan. 31, 2013 | VA | SB 975 | Prohibits Smoking in a Vehicle with Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 10) |
Jan. 31, 2013 | VA | HB 1617 | Authorizes Student Organizations to Limit Membership | Bill Passed - House (80 - 19) |
Jan. 31, 2013 | VA | HB 1442 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students To Participate In Interscholastic Programs | Bill Passed - House (56 - 43) |
Jan. 28, 2013 | VA | SB 690 | Reduces the Number of Signatures Required to Run for President | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
Jan. 22, 2013 | VA | SB 736 | Prohibits Opening a Vehicle Door Adjacent to a Lane of Traffic | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
March 26, 2012 | VA | Saslaw Amdt | Requires Reimbursement of the Full Cost of Ultrasounds Required Prior to Abortions | Amendment Rejected - Senate (19 - 20) |
March 8, 2012 | VA | SB 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
March 6, 2012 | VA | HB 1228 | Increases Salary for State Legislators | Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 31) |
March 1, 2012 | VA | HB 462 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 35) |
Feb. 28, 2012 | VA | HB 462 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
Feb. 27, 2012 | VA | HB 1112 | Repeals HPV Vaccine Requirement | Motion Agreed - Senate (22 - 17) |
Feb. 27, 2012 | VA | HB 9 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Feb. 23, 2012 | VA | SB 30 | 2012-2014 Biennium Budget | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 17) |
Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 484 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (65 - 32) |
Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 349 | Authorizing Private Adoption Agencies to Refuse Certain Placements | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
Feb. 22, 2012 | VA | SB 323 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - House (64 - 32) |
Feb. 21, 2012 | VA | HB 189 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Refuse Adoptions for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
Feb. 20, 2012 | VA | HB 48 | Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Feb. 17, 2012 | VA | SB 131 | Establishes Tax Deductions for Corporations | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 1060 | Requires Law Enforcement to Ask About Immigration Status During an Arrest | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 1129 | Reduces State Employee Retirement Benefits | Bill Passed - House (74 - 26) |
Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | SB 438 | Amends Teacher Contracts | Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20) |
Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 1 | Defines Life as Beginning at Conception | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | SB 6 | Requires Drug Tests for Certain Welfare Recipients | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Feb. 14, 2012 | VA | HB 462 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (63 - 36) |
Feb. 13, 2012 | VA | HB 940 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
Feb. 13, 2012 | VA | HB 576 | Amends Teacher Contract and Evaluation Policies | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
Feb. 9, 2012 | VA | HB 14 | Provides Civil Immunity for the Use of Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (75 - 22) |
Feb. 9, 2012 | VA | HB 48 | Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders | Bill Passed - House (70 - 28) |
Feb. 9, 2012 | VA | SB 349 | Authorizing Private Adoption Agencies to Refuse Certain Placements | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
Feb. 8, 2012 | VA | HB 947 | Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Interscholastic Programs | Bill Passed - House (59 - 39) |
Feb. 6, 2012 | VA | SB 1 | Requires Photo Identification to Vote | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Feb. 6, 2012 | VA | SB 323 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
Feb. 3, 2012 | VA | HB 189 | Authorizes Adoption Agencies to Refuse Adoptions for Religious Reasons | Bill Passed - House (71 - 28) |
Feb. 3, 2012 | VA | HB 62 | Prohibits State Funding for Abortion | Bill Passed - House (64 - 35) |
Feb. 1, 2012 | VA | HB 940 | Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
Feb. 1, 2012 | VA | SB 484 | Requires an Ultrasound Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
Feb. 1, 2012 | VA | HB 9 | Voter Identification Requirements | Bill Passed - House (69 - 30) |
Jan. 27, 2012 | VA | HB 1112 | Repeals HPV Vaccine Requirement | Bill Passed - House (62 - 34) |
Jan. 26, 2012 | VA | SB 464 | Authorizes Hunting on Sundays | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11) |
Jan. 20, 2012 | VA | HB 251 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19) |
Jan. 13, 2012 | VA | HB 251 | Congressional Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (74 - 21) |
April 28, 2011 | VA | HB 5005 | Redistricting for State Senate and House | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7) |
April 11, 2011 | VA | HB 5001 | Legislative Redistricting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
April 6, 2011 | VA | HB 2434 | Health Benefits Exchange | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 20) |
April 6, 2011 | VA | HB 2434 | Health Benefits Exchange | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 36) |
Feb. 21, 2011 | VA | HB 2527 | Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (31 - 68) |
Feb. 21, 2011 | VA | SB 1446 | Transportation Budget | Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (1 - 38) |
Feb. 21, 2011 | VA | SB 1367 | Motor Vehicle Title Loans for Non-Residents | Bill Passed - House (51 - 47) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | VA | HB 2527 | Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Fund and Bank | Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | VA | SB 1062 | Health Insurance Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorder | Bill Passed - House (71 - 27) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | VA | SB 1062 | Health Insurance Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorder | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 8) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | VA | SB 1446 | Transportation Budget | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | VA | HB 2314 | Education Improvement Scholarships | Bill Passed - House (54 - 45) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | VA | SB 1351 | Wireless Telecommunication Devices | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | VA | HB 2332 | Citizenship of Arrestee | Bill Passed - House (68 - 31) |
Feb. 8, 2011 | VA | HB 1465 | Excludes Undocumented Immigrants from Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (75 - 24) |
Feb. 3, 2011 | VA | SB 831 | Amending the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Feb. 2, 2011 | VA | SB 747 | Prohibits Discrimination in State Employment Based on Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
Feb. 1, 2011 | VA | HJ 593 | Free Exercise of Religion | Amendment Adopted - House (61 - 33) |
Jan. 24, 2011 | VA | SB 949 | Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14) |
April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 91 | Limiting State Funding of Abortion | Amendment Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |
April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 18 | Reducing Funding for Public Media | Amendment Rejected - House (43 - 52) |
April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 91 | Limiting State Funding of Abortion | Amendment Adopted - House (64 - 30) |
April 21, 2010 | VA | Amdt 28 | Reducing Funding for Comprehensive Services for At Risk Youth and Families | Amendment Rejected - House (25 - 69) |
March 14, 2010 | VA | HB 30 | 2010-2012 Biennium Budget | Conference Report Adopted - House (73 - 23) |