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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 5, 2019 | VA | HB 2384 | Prohibits Tobacco and Nicotine Vapor Products at Public Schools | Bill Passed - House (83 - 15) |
| Feb. 4, 2019 | VA | SB 1502 | Requires School Boards to Offer Classes on the Bible | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18) |
| Jan. 22, 2019 | VA | SB 1012 | Amends Conceal Carry Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| April 18, 2018 | VA | HB 83 | Requires Feminine Hygiene Products to be Provided to Prisons Inmates | (39 - None) |
| March 6, 2018 | VA | HB 1257 | Prohibits the Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18) |
| Feb. 28, 2018 | VA | SB 726 | Authorizes Doctors Recommend Use of Cannabidiol Oil for Treatment | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (40 - 0) |
| Feb. 13, 2018 | VA | HB 1257 | Prohibits the Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - House (51 - 49) |
| Feb. 9, 2018 | VA | SB 966 | Amends Various Utilities Regulations | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13) |
| Feb. 5, 2018 | VA | SB 168 | Reduces Penalties for Minors Charged with Sexting Offenses | Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5) |
| Jan. 29, 2018 | VA | SB 192 | Authorizes State to Deduct Previous TANF Benefits from Lottery Winnings | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| April 5, 2017 | VA | HB 1852 | Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. | Veto Override Failed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 24, 2017 | VA | HB 1852 | Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14) |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | VA | HB 2000 | Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 22, 2017 | VA | HB 2000 | Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 15, 2017 | VA | HB 1852 | Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. | Concurrence Vote Failed - House (3 - 95) |
| Feb. 14, 2017 | VA | HB 2264 | Prohibits State Funding of Abortion Services | (20 - 19) |
| Feb. 7, 2017 | VA | HB 2000 | Prohibits Establishment of Sanctuary Cities | Bill Passed - House (63 - 33) |
| Feb. 7, 2017 | VA | HB 2264 | Prohibits State Funding of Abortion Services | Bill Passed - House (60 - 33) |
| Feb. 6, 2017 | VA | SB 1262 | Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Civil Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 3, 2017 | VA | HB 1852 | Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. | (64 - 31) |
| Jan. 24, 2017 | VA | HB 1578 | Authorizes Home-schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports | Bill Passed - House (60 - 38) |
| Jan. 23, 2017 | VA | SB 1055 | Classifies Failure to Leave Unlawful Assembly After Warning as a Class 1 Misdemeanor | Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 26) |
| April 20, 2016 | VA | HB 815 | Amends Death Penalty Procedures | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16) |
| April 20, 2016 | VA | HB 815 | Amends Death Penalty Procedures | Bill Passed - House (59 - 40) |
| March 11, 2016 | VA | HB 8 | Establishes Virtual Public School | Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 36) |
| March 11, 2016 | VA | HB 8 | Establishes Virtual Public School | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17) |
| March 11, 2016 | VA | HB 815 | Amends Death Penalty Procedures | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17) |
| March 11, 2016 | VA | HB 815 | Amends Death Penalty Procedures | Conference Report Adopted - House (65 - 32) |
| March 7, 2016 | VA | HB 389 | Establishes School Choice Program for Children with Disabilities | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19) |
| March 7, 2016 | VA | HB 1090 | Rescinds Funds from Certain Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| March 7, 2016 | VA | SB 117 | Prohibits Opening Car Door in Traffic Lane | Bill Passed - House (70 - 25) |
| March 1, 2016 | VA | HB 516 | Requires Parental Review of Explicit School Books | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | VA | HB 560 | Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Feb. 29, 2016 | VA | HB 587 | Prohibits Removal of War Monuments | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17) |
| Feb. 26, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 19, 2016 | VA | SB 610 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Reciprocity for Out-of-State License Holders | Bill Passed - House (69 - 29) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | VA | HB 389 | Establishes School Choice Program for Children with Disabilities | Bill Passed - House (53 - 46) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | VA | SB 416 | Authorizes Individuals to Rent Out Rooms through Online Platform | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | VA | HB 773 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Certain Religious Beliefs | Bill Passed - House (56 - 41) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | VA | HB 1090 | Rescinds Funds from Certain Abortion Clinics | Bill Passed - House (64 - 35) |
| Feb. 15, 2016 | VA | HB 1234 | Authorizes School Security Officers to Carry Firearms | Bill Passed - House (66 - 33) |
| Feb. 15, 2016 | VA | SB 552 | Exempts Police Officer Names from Mandatory Disclosure | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Feb. 15, 2016 | VA | SJ 6 | Authorizes the Board of Education to Establish Charter Schools | Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21) |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | VA | HB 1348 | Prohibits Smoking in a Car with Minors | Bill Passed - House (59 - 38) |
| Feb. 12, 2016 | VA | SB 41 | Prohibits State from Requiring Religious Organizations to Solemnize Certain Marriages | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19) |
| Feb. 11, 2016 | VA | HB 1096 | Prohibits Regulation of Firearms without Legislative Authorization | Bill Passed - House (63 - 35) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | VA | HB 1371 | Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits | Bill Passed - House (65 - 34) |
| Feb. 10, 2016 | VA | HB 815 | Amends Death Penalty Procedures | Bill Passed - House (62 - 33) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | VA | SB 270 | Requires Cities to Enforce Federal Immigration Laws | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | VA | HB 518 | Authorizes Students to Transfer from Certain Schools | Bill Passed - House (57 - 42) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | VA | HB 560 | Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear | Bill Passed - House (68 - 32) |
| Feb. 9, 2016 | VA | SB 705 | Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 8, 2016 | VA | SB 646 | Establishes Regulations for Fantasy Sports | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10) |
| Feb. 4, 2016 | VA | SB 610 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Reciprocity for Out-of-State License Holders | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13) |
| Feb. 3, 2016 | VA | HB 766 | Authorizes Individual with Restraining Order to Carry Concealed Gun without Permit | Bill Passed - House (68 - 29) |
| Feb. 2, 2016 | VA | SB 117 | Prohibits Opening Car Door in Traffic Lane | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16) |
| Feb. 1, 2016 | VA | SB 106 | Authorizes No-Excuse In-Person Absentee Voting | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| Feb. 1, 2016 | VA | SB 48 | Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit | Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21) |
| Jan. 29, 2016 | VA | SB 12 | Prohibits Discrimination in Public Employment Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Jan. 29, 2016 | VA | SB 67 | Prohibits Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation in Housing Practices | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15) |
| Jan. 26, 2016 | VA | SJ 1 | Authorizes Ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 19) |
| 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 719 | Amends Voting Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20) |
| Feb. 5, 2013 | VA | SB 1256 | Requires Photo Identification for Voting | 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) |