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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 384 | Amends Sports Betting Regulations | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 29) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 972 | Establishes Provisions Decriminalizing Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |
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 | HB 33 | Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
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 34 | Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Non-United States Citizens | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 395 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 588 | Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 972 | Establishes Provisions Decriminalizing Marijuana | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 35) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 588 | Authorizes Counties to Levy Certain Taxes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 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 207 | Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 43) |
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 | SB 479 | Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Protective Order From Possessing Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 42) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 883 | Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 44) |
Nov. 9, 2020 | VA | HB 5109 | Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
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 5, 2020 | VA | HB 19 | Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
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 5148 | Establishes a 4-Level Earned Sentence Credit Classification System | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | HB 5099 | Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 16) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | SB 5030 | Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 34) |
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. 16, 2020 | VA | SB 5007 | Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury | Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 43) |
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 1150 | Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19) |
Oct. 16, 2020 | VA | HB 5106 | Requires Landlords to Establish Payment Plans for Tenants Prior to Eviction | Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 42) |
March 8, 2020 | VA | HB 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
March 8, 2020 | VA | SB 183 | Authorizes Localities to Remove, Relocate, or Alter Monuments | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44) |
March 8, 2020 | VA | SB 710 | Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 12) |
March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 235 | Establishes and Authorizes a Process for Automatic Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 18) |
March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 201 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 1442 | Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 44) |
Nov. 9, 2020 | VA | HB 5109 | Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | HB 207 | Establishes Permanent Absentee Voter List | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 883 | Establishes the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
April 22, 2020 | VA | SB 479 | Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Protective Order From Possessing Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | SB 5030 | Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 17) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | HB 5099 | Prohibits No-Knock Search Warrants | Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 41) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | HB 5104 | Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring | Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 35) |
Oct. 14, 2020 | VA | SB 5038 | Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System | Conference Report Adopted - House (59 - 37) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | SB 70 | Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 46) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 33 | Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole | Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 45) |
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 812 | Prohibits Unlicensed Individuals to Deal Firearms from Purchasing More Than One Gun in a 30-Day Period | Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 235 | Establishes and Authorizes a Process for Automatic Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - House (53 - 46) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 201 | Authorizes Same-Day Voter Registration | Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 44) |
March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 395 | Increases the Minimum Wage | Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45) |
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 1250 | Establishes the "Community Policing Act" | Conference Report Adopted - House (62 - 35) |
March 7, 2020 | VA | HB 19 | Repeals Photo Identification Requirement for Voting | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (20 - 19) |
March 8, 2020 | VA | SB 710 | Expands Renewable Energy Tax Credits | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 31) |
Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | HB 618 | Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes | (24 - 16) |
March 2, 2020 | VA | HB 1210 | Requires Voting and Election Materials in Languages Other Than English | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 38) |
Feb. 25, 2020 | VA | SB 657 | Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
March 3, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14) |
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) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | HB 5093 | Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 1255 | Establishes a Constitutional Amendment to Create an Independent Redistricting Commission | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 45) |
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 | HB 5047 | Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | SB 5033 | Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 7) |
Oct. 7, 2020 | VA | HB 5108 | Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 41) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | HB 980 | Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 44) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | HB 618 | Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 43) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | HB 1 | Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 34) |
Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 9 | Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 44) |
Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 1083 | Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 43) |
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 5, 2020 | VA | HB 1251 | Authorizes Enrollee not to Pay Out-of-Network Amount Except Applicable Cost-sharing Requirement | (40 - 0) |
March 3, 2020 | VA | HB 623 | Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms | (24 - 16) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | HB 1083 | Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties | (22 - 18) |
Feb. 21, 2020 | VA | SB 657 | Authorizes Replacement Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals | Bill Passed - House (52 - 45) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | SB 1 | Prohibits Suspension of Driver's License for Unpaid Fines | Bill Passed - House (75 - 25) |
Sept. 25, 2020 | VA | HB 5093 | Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17) |
Sept. 25, 2020 | VA | SB 5035 | Authorizes Localities to Establish Law-Enforcement Civilian Oversight Bodies | Bill Passed - House (51 - 46) |
Sept. 25, 2020 | VA | SB 5033 | Amends Court Authority in Criminal Cases | Bill Passed - House (53 - 44) |
Sept. 25, 2020 | VA | SB 5029 | Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana | Bill Passed - House (51 - 45) |
March 2, 2020 | VA | SB 1030 | Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits | Bill Passed - House (52 - 48) |
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) |
Feb. 28, 2020 | VA | HB 1210 | Requires Voting and Election Materials in Languages Other Than English | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | SB 5038 | Requires the Development of a Comprehensive Crisis Service Continuum Including a MARCUS Alert System | Bill Passed - House (57 - 40) |
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) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | SB 35 | Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | HB 5069 | Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
March 5, 2020 | VA | HB 66 | Limits the Cost of Insulin to $50 Per 30-Day Supply | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | HB 980 | Establishes the "Reproductive Health Protection Act" | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | SB 5043 | Establishes Procedures of Automatic Expungement of Criminal Records | Bill Passed - House (58 - 39) |
Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | HB 1 | Authorizes Absentee Voting Without Needing Excuse | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
Feb. 24, 2020 | VA | SB 868 | Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | Bill Passed - House (54 - 46) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | VA | HB 9 | Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | HB 5108 | Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
Oct. 2, 2020 | VA | SB 5024 | Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices | Bill Passed - House (55 - 42) |
Jan. 27, 2020 | VA | HJ 1 | Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12) |
Feb. 17, 2020 | VA | HB 386 | Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
Feb. 17, 2020 | VA | HB 995 | Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14) |