Virginia Criminal Justice Key Votes

Chamber

Keyword Search

Search string must be longer than 3 characters.

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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
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 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5108 Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board 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. 1, 2020 VA HB 5047 Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
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 5098 Increases Penalty for Filing a False Police Report 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)
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. 16, 2020 VA SB 5034 Expands the State Earned Sentence Credit System Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Sept. 15, 2020 VA SB 5035 Authorizes Localities to Establish Law-Enforcement Civilian Oversight Bodies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA SB 5007 Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA SB 5007 Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Sept. 9, 2020 VA SB 5012 Requires Individual Votes of Virginia Parole Board Members to be Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
Aug. 28, 2020 VA SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
Aug. 26, 2020 VA SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
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 HB 1442 Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
April 22, 2020 VA SB 479 Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Protective Order From Possessing Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
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 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)
March 3, 2020 VA SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
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. 26, 2020 VA HB 1083 Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties (22 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 26, 2020 VA HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2020 VA HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
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)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
Jan. 27, 2020 VA HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
Jan. 22, 2020 VA SB 240 Authorizes Temporary Seizure of Guns from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 21, 2020 VA SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Jan. 16, 2020 VA SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
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)
Jan. 15, 2020 VA SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
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)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2017 VA HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
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)
March 11, 2016 VA HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Conference Report Adopted - 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 560 Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
Feb. 15, 2016 VA SB 552 Exempts Police Officer Names from Mandatory Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 4, 2016 VA SB 610 Authorizes Concealed Carry Reciprocity for Out-of-State License Holders Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 1, 2016 VA SB 48 Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21)
Feb. 10, 2015 VA SB 1393 Authorizes Changes to Lethal Injection Drug Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2014 VA HB 1237 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Feb. 14, 2013 VA SB 1335 Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
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. 27, 2012 VA HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 20, 2012 VA HB 48 Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 20, 2012 VA HB 48 Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2012 VA SB 6 Requires Drug Tests for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 13, 2012 VA HB 940 Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 6, 2012 VA SB 323 Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 6, 2012 VA SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Jan. 26, 2012 VA SB 464 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
Feb. 3, 2011 VA SB 831 Amending the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Jan. 24, 2011 VA SB 949 Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/02 SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
10/02 HB 5069 Prohibits Use of Chokeholds by Law Enforcement Officers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
10/02 HB 5108 Amends the Makeup of the Criminal Justice Services Board 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)
10/01 HB 5047 Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
10/01 HB 5146 Authorizes a Person to File a Petition Requesting Expungement in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
10/01 HB 5098 Increases Penalty for Filing a False Police Report 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)
9/25 HB 5093 Expands the Violation of a Pandemic-Related Executive Order to Include a Fine Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
9/16 SB 5034 Expands the State Earned Sentence Credit System Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
9/15 SB 5035 Authorizes Localities to Establish Law-Enforcement Civilian Oversight Bodies Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
9/10 SB 5007 Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
9/10 SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
9/10 SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
9/10 SB 5024 Authorizes the Attorney General to File a Civil Suit or Inquire into Law Enforcement Engaging in Unlawful Practices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
9/10 SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
9/10 SB 5030 Establishes and Amends Various Provisions Relating to Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
9/10 SB 5007 Authorizes Defendants to Be Sentenced by a Judge Rather Than a Jury Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
9/09 SB 5012 Requires Individual Votes of Virginia Parole Board Members to be Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 10)
8/28 SB 5029 Prohibits Search and Seizure Based Solely on the Odor of Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 14)
8/26 SB 5032 Repeals the 6-Month Mandatory Minimum Requirement for Assaulting Law Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
4/22 HB 33 Authorizes Inmates to Apply for Parole Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
4/22 SB 971 Establishes the COVID-19 Relief Fund and Amends Gambling Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
4/22 HB 1442 Authorizes the Use of Photo Speed Monitoring Devices Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
4/22 SB 479 Prohibits Individuals Subject to a Protective Order From Possessing Firearms Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
3/08 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
3/08 HB 1250 Establishes the "Community Policing Act" Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
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 1150 Eliminates Requirement that Jails and Prisons Ascertain Citizenship Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
3/03 SB 1030 Prohibits Dangerous Captive Animal Exhibits Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
3/03 HB 623 Repeals the State Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban and Amends State Gender-Neutral Terms (24 - 16)
3/03 HB 837 Establishes the "Dress Code Equity Act" Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
2/26 HB 1083 Amends Safety Requirements for Unsecured Firearms and Increases Penalties (22 - 18)
2/26 HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/26 HB 9 Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/24 HB 618 Specifies that Gender Related Crimes are Associated with Hate Crimes (24 - 16)
2/17 HB 386 Prohibits State Funding for Conversion Therapy on Minors Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/17 HB 995 Increases the Threshold Amount of Money Taken for Larceny Crimes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
2/06 SB 868 Amends Anti-Discrimination Law to Include Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 9)
1/27 HJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 12)
1/22 SB 240 Authorizes Temporary Seizure of Guns from Persons Posing Substantial Risk Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/21 SB 601 Establishes Election Day to Replace Lee-Jackson Day Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
1/16 SB 70 Requires Background Check for Firearm Transfers Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
1/16 SB 35 Authorizes Localities to Prohibit Guns at Public Events Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/16 SB 69 Prohibits Purchasing more than One Handgun per Month Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/15 SJ 1 Establishes an Amendment to the US Constitution Relating to Equal Rights Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
1/22 SB 1012 Amends Conceal Carry Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
4/18 HB 83 Requires Feminine Hygiene Products to be Provided to Prisons Inmates (39 - None)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
2/24 HB 1852 Authorizes Individual Issued Protective Order to Carry A Concealed Handgun. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 14)
1/23 SB 1055 Classifies Failure to Leave Unlawful Assembly After Warning as a Class 1 Misdemeanor Bill Failed - Senate (14 - 26)
4/20 HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
3/11 HB 815 Amends Death Penalty Procedures Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 17)
2/29 HB 560 Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/29 HB 560 Amends Brandishing Conviction to Include Intent to Induce Fear Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
2/15 SB 552 Exempts Police Officer Names from Mandatory Disclosure Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
2/09 SB 705 Requires Sanctuary Cities to be Liable for Damages Caused by Undocumented Immigrant Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/04 SB 610 Authorizes Concealed Carry Reciprocity for Out-of-State License Holders Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/01 SB 48 Authorizes Concealed Carry without Permit Bill Failed - Senate (20 - 21)
2/10 SB 1393 Authorizes Changes to Lethal Injection Drug Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
2/18 HB 1237 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
2/14 SB 1335 Prohibits Disclosure of Concealed Firearm Permit Information Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
2/05 SB 719 Amends Voting Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/05 SB 1256 Requires Photo Identification for Voting Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/04 SB 721 Requires Drug Testing for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 20)
2/27 HB 9 Voter Identification Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/20 HB 48 Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/20 HB 48 Authorizing Physical Force Against Intruders Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/14 SB 6 Requires Drug Tests for Certain Welfare Recipients Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/13 HB 940 Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/06 SB 323 Repeals Purchase Limit for Handguns Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/06 SB 1 Requires Photo Identification to Vote Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
1/26 SB 464 Authorizes Hunting on Sundays Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 11)
2/03 SB 831 Amending the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
1/24 SB 949 Allowing Absentee Voting For Any Reason Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)

arrow_upward