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. 15, 2020 | VA | SJ 1 | Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12) |
Jan. 27, 2020 | VA | HJ 1 | Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
Jan. 15, 2020 | VA | HJ 1 | Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 41) |
Jan. 22, 2020 | VA | SB 240 | Authorizes Temporary Seizure of Guns from Persons Posing Substantial Risk | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | SB 35 | Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
Jan. 16, 2020 | VA | SB 35 | Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
Jan. 16, 2020 | VA | SB 69 | Prohibits Purchasing more than One Handgun per Month | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | SB 70 | Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 46) |
Jan. 16, 2020 | VA | SB 70 | Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17) |
Jan. 22, 2020 | VA | SB 318 | Reduces Number of Balloons that Can be Released per Hour | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 262 | Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |
Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 262 | Prohibits Law Enforcement Questioning of an Individual's Immigration Status | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |
Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 1663 | Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (59 - 35) |
Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 1663 | Prohibits LGBTQ Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (59 - 35) |
Jan. 30, 2020 | VA | HB 674 | Authorizes Removing Firearms from Persons Posing Substantial Risk | Bill Passed - House (52 - 46) |
Feb. 4, 2020 | VA | HB 1429 | Prohibits Denying or Limiting Coverage based on Gender Identity | Bill Passed - House (54 - 41) |
Feb. 21, 2020 | VA | SB 50 | Prohibits Race-Based Hairstyle Discrimination | Bill Passed - House (71 - 26) |
Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | SB 868 | Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | SB 868 | Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9) |
Jan. 21, 2020 | VA | SB 245 | Prohibits Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 108 | Establishes Election Day as a State Holiday | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
Feb. 6, 2020 | VA | HB 827 | Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy | Bill Passed - House (66 - 31) |
Feb. 25, 2020 | VA | SB 657 | Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Feb. 21, 2020 | VA | SB 657 | Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals | Bill Passed - House (52 - 45) |
Feb. 11, 2020 | VA | HB 961 | Prohibits the Sale or Transportation of Assault Weapons or Magazines Holding 12 or More Rounds | Bill Passed - House (51 - 48) |
Feb. 17, 2020 | VA | HB 386 | Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
Feb. 17, 2020 | VA | HB 386 | Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
Feb. 3, 2020 | VA | HB 386 | Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (66 - 27) |
Feb. 3, 2020 | VA | HB 386 | Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - House (66 - 27) |
March 4, 2020 | VA | HB 623 | Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43) |
March 4, 2020 | VA | HB 623 | Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43) |
March 3, 2020 | VA | HB 623 | Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms | (24 - 16) |
March 3, 2020 | VA | HB 623 | Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms | (24 - 16) |
March 3, 2020 | VA | HB 837 | Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15) |
Feb. 7, 2020 | VA | HB 837 | Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" | Bill Passed - House (81 - 17) |
March 3, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
March 3, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
March 2, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 48) |
March 2, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 48) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | HB 980 | Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44) |
Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | HB 980 | Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 971 | Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (76 - 16) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 971 | Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8) |
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 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
Feb. 17, 2020 | VA | HB 995 | Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
Jan. 31, 2020 | VA | HB 995 | Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes | Bill Passed - House (58 - 40) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 33 | Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 33 | Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole | Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 384 | Amends Sports Betting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 29) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 384 | Amends Sports Betting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 29) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 384 | Amends Sports Betting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 384 | Amends Sports Betting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 34 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 41) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 34 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | SB 935 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - House (56 - 44) |
Feb. 11, 2020 | VA | SB 935 | Authorizes In-State Tuition for Undocumented Students | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
March 8, 2020 | VA | SB 183 | Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44) |
March 7, 2020 | VA | SB 183 | Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 16) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 437 | Increases Penalty for Motor Accidents Involving a Cyclist or Vulnerable Road User | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 36) |
March 8, 2020 | VA | HB 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
March 8, 2020 | VA | HB 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 35) |
March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 35) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 1442 | Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 1442 | Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 44) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 479 | Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Protective Order From Possessing Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 42) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 479 | Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Protective Order From Possessing Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 1083 | Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 43) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | HB 1083 | Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties | (22 - 18) |
Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | SB 601 | Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day | Bill Passed - House (55 - 44) |
Jan. 21, 2020 | VA | SB 601 | Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | SB 1 | Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
Feb. 27, 2020 | VA | HB 119 | Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Jan. 29, 2020 | VA | HB 119 | Requires Milk be Defined as the Lacteal Secretion Obtained by the Complete Milking of a Hooved Animal | Bill Passed - House (66 - 32) |
Aug. 26, 2020 | VA | SB 5032 | Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15) |
Sept. 8, 2020 | VA | HB 5013 | Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (49 - 45) |
Sept. 8, 2020 | VA | HB 5013 | Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (49 - 45) |
Sept. 4, 2020 | VA | HB 5013 | Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Failed - House (47 - 48) |
Sept. 4, 2020 | VA | HB 5013 | Repeals Qualified Immunity for Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Failed - House (47 - 48) |
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) |
Aug. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 5029 | Establishes a Felony Charge for Officers that Fail to Intervene When Witnessing Unlawful Deadly Force | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | HB 5099 | Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | HB 5099 | Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | HB 5099 | Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 41) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | HB 5099 | Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 41) |
Sept. 4, 2020 | VA | HB 5099 | Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
Sept. 4, 2020 | VA | HB 5099 | Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | HB 5069 | Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
Sept. 4, 2020 | VA | HB 5069 | Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - House (55 - 43) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | SB 5029 | Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
Sept. 25, 2020 | VA | SB 5029 | Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
Aug. 28, 2020 | VA | SB 5029 | Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | HB 5148 | Establishes a 4-Level Earned Sentence Credit Classification System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18) |
Sept. 10, 2020 | VA | HB 5148 | Establishes a 4-Level Earned Sentence Credit Classification System | Bill Passed - House (54 - 41) |
Oct. 16, 2020 | VA | HB 5043 | Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 12) |
Sept. 10, 2020 | VA | HB 5043 | Authorizes Mental Health Experts to Accompany Police Officers | Bill Passed - House (57 - 39) |
Oct. 16, 2020 | VA | SB 5007 | Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury | Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 43) |