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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
April 22, 2020 VA HB 33 Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 972 Establishes Provisions Decriminalizing Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 384 Amends Sports Betting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Nov. 9, 2020 VA HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 1442 Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
March 8, 2020 VA SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 16, 2020 VA HB 5043 Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5148 Establishes a 4-Level Earned Sentence Credit Classification System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5049 Prohibits the Acquisition and Use of Military Property by Law Enforcement Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 201 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 235 Establishes and Authorizes a Process for Automatic Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
March 8, 2020 VA HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 479 Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Protective Order From Possessing Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 883 Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 207 Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
March 7, 2020 VA SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
March 7, 2020 VA HB 19 Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
March 3, 2020 VA SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Feb. 25, 2020 VA SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Oct. 7, 2020 VA SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
March 3, 2020 VA HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms (24 - 16)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 1251 Authorizes Enrollee not to Pay Out-of-Network Amount Except Applicable Cost-sharing Requirement (40 - 0)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 1083 Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties (22 - 18)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5108 Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA HB 980 Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA HB 1 Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 28, 2020 VA HB 1210 Requires Voting and Election Materials in Languages Other Than English Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
March 5, 2020 VA HB 66 Limits the Cost of Insulin to $50 Per 30-Day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Sept. 25, 2020 VA HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
Oct. 1, 2020 VA HB 5146 Authorizes a Person to File a Petition Requesting Expungement in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Oct. 1, 2020 VA HB 5047 Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5029 Establishes a Felony Charge for Officers that Fail to Intervene When Witnessing Unlawful Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 17, 2020 VA HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
Jan. 27, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Oct. 1, 2020 VA HB 5098 Increases Penalty for Filing a False Police Report Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/22 HB 33 Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
4/22 HB 972 Establishes Provisions Decriminalizing Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
4/22 HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
4/22 SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
4/22 SB 384 Amends Sports Betting Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
4/22 SB 588 Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
4/22 SB 34 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
11/09 HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
4/22 HB 1255 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
4/22 HB 1442 Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
3/08 SB 710 Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12)
10/14 HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
10/16 HB 5043 Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12)
10/14 HB 5148 Establishes a 4-Level Earned Sentence Credit Classification System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
10/14 HB 5049 Prohibits the Acquisition and Use of Military Property by Law Enforcement Agencies Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
10/14 HB 5099 Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16)
3/07 HB 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/07 HB 812 Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/07 HB 201 Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
3/07 HB 235 Establishes and Authorizes a Process for Automatic Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18)
3/08 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
4/22 SB 479 Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Protective Order From Possessing Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
4/22 SB 883 Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
4/22 HB 207 Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
3/07 SB 183 Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
3/07 HB 19 Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19)
10/14 SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
2/24 HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
3/03 SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
10/02 SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
10/02 SB 5033 Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
2/25 SB 657 Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
10/07 SB 5038 Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
3/03 HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms (24 - 16)
3/05 HB 1251 Authorizes Enrollee not to Pay Out-of-Network Amount Except Applicable Cost-sharing Requirement (40 - 0)
2/26 HB 1083 Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties (22 - 18)
10/02 HB 5108 Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/24 HB 980 Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/24 HB 1 Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/26 HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/28 HB 1210 Requires Voting and Election Materials in Languages Other Than English Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
3/05 HB 66 Limits the Cost of Insulin to $50 Per 30-Day Supply Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
9/25 HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
10/01 HB 5146 Authorizes a Person to File a Petition Requesting Expungement in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
10/01 HB 5047 Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
10/02 HB 5029 Establishes a Felony Charge for Officers that Fail to Intervene When Witnessing Unlawful Deadly Force Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
10/02 HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/17 HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
1/27 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
10/01 HB 5098 Increases Penalty for Filing a False Police Report Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)

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