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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Jan. 31, 2024 VA SB 635 Amends To-Go Alcohol Sale Laws to be Permanently Legal Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Jan. 31, 2024 VA HB 688 Amends To-Go Alcohol Sale Laws to be Permanently Legal Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
April 12, 2023 VA SB 1533 Requires the Board of Pharmacy Consider Certain Factors when Determining Additional Cultivation Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 16)
Feb. 20, 2023 VA HB 2082 Requires Employees of Landlords with More than 200 Rental Units to Complete a Criminal Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
Feb. 7, 2023 VA HB 2082 Requires Employees of Landlords with More than 200 Rental Units to Complete a Criminal Background Check Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
Feb. 2, 2022 VA SB 226 Requires Notice to Employees of Right to Dispute Claim Denial Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 5, 2021 VA HB 2137 Establishes Paid Sick Leave for In-House Healthcare Workers and Prohibits Retaliatory Action from Employers Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
Feb. 5, 2021 VA HB 2137 Establishes Paid Sick Leave for In-House Healthcare Workers and Prohibits Retaliatory Action from Employers Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
Jan. 29, 2021 VA SB 1413 Increases Broadband by Allowing Deals with the State Corporation Commission Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
Nov. 9, 2020 VA HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Nov. 9, 2020 VA HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
Oct. 14, 2020 VA HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 35)
Oct. 2, 2020 VA HB 5047 Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43)
Oct. 1, 2020 VA HB 5047 Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Sept. 10, 2020 VA HB 5116 Requires Public and Private Employers to Provide Paid Quarantine Leave Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
Sept. 4, 2020 VA HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
April 22, 2020 VA HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
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 395 Increases the Minimum Wage 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 1251 Authorizes Enrollee not to Pay Out-of-Network Amount Except Applicable Cost-sharing Requirement (40 - 0)
Feb. 11, 2020 VA SB 481 Requires Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 582 Amends State Collective Bargaining Laws Relating to Right to Work Protections Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
Feb. 6, 2020 VA HB 827 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Feb. 13, 2019 VA HB 2748 Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
Feb. 9, 2018 VA SB 966 Amends Various Utilities Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Feb. 26, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 26, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 16, 2016 VA SB 416 Authorizes Individuals to Rent Out Rooms through Online Platform Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 10, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
Feb. 10, 2016 VA HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
Jan. 29, 2016 VA SB 12 Prohibits Discrimination in Public Employment Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
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. 11, 2014 VA SB 590 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 11, 2014 VA SB 590 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
Feb. 14, 2012 VA HB 1129 Reduces State Employee Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
Feb. 14, 2012 VA SB 438 Amends Teacher Contracts Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
Feb. 13, 2012 VA HB 576 Amends Teacher Contract and Evaluation Policies Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
Feb. 8, 2011 VA HB 2314 Education Improvement Scholarships Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
Feb. 2, 2011 VA SB 747 Prohibits Discrimination in State Employment Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
March 2, 2010 VA SB 334 Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (72 - 27)
Feb. 16, 2010 VA SB 464 Requiring Insurance Coverage of Autism Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2010 VA SB 660 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2010 VA SB 334 Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 9, 2010 VA HB 629 Asbestos Lawsuit Restrictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 48)
Feb. 25, 2009 VA SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
Feb. 24, 2009 VA SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
Feb. 19, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
Feb. 9, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
Feb. 3, 2009 VA SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
July 9, 2008 VA SB 6009 Transportation Taxes Bill Failed - House (39 - 59)
June 25, 2008 VA SB 6009 Transportation Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
March 6, 2008 VA HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
March 6, 2008 VA SB 588 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (91 - 9)
Feb. 11, 2008 VA HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (91 - 7)
Feb. 5, 2008 VA SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
Feb. 5, 2008 VA SB 501 Restaurant and Bar Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
Feb. 5, 2008 VA SB 298 Banning Smoking Public Places Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
April 4, 2007 VA Governor's Recommendation: Restaurant Smoking Ban Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 59)
Feb. 21, 2007 VA H Sub to Sub SB 1416 Regulation of Electric Utilities Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
Feb. 16, 2007 VA Sub SB 1014 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (72 - 27)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA Sub SB 1327 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
Feb. 5, 2007 VA SB 1161 Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
Jan. 26, 2007 VA SB 1014 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
Feb. 14, 2006 VA Sub HB 1048 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 8, 2006 VA SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
Date No. Title Outcome
1/31 SB 635 Amends To-Go Alcohol Sale Laws to be Permanently Legal Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
1/31 HB 688 Amends To-Go Alcohol Sale Laws to be Permanently Legal Bill Passed - House (81 - 18)
4/12 SB 1533 Requires the Board of Pharmacy Consider Certain Factors when Determining Additional Cultivation Locations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 16)
2/20 HB 2082 Requires Employees of Landlords with More than 200 Rental Units to Complete a Criminal Background Check Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
2/07 HB 2082 Requires Employees of Landlords with More than 200 Rental Units to Complete a Criminal Background Check Bill Passed - House (93 - 5)
2/02 SB 226 Requires Notice to Employees of Right to Dispute Claim Denial Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/05 HB 2137 Establishes Paid Sick Leave for In-House Healthcare Workers and Prohibits Retaliatory Action from Employers Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
2/05 HB 2137 Establishes Paid Sick Leave for In-House Healthcare Workers and Prohibits Retaliatory Action from Employers Bill Passed - House (54 - 46)
1/29 SB 1413 Increases Broadband by Allowing Deals with the State Corporation Commission Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 7)
11/09 HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
11/09 HB 5109 Amends Existing Law Enforcement Officer Training and Qualifications Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 39)
10/14 HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 5)
10/14 HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 35)
10/02 HB 5047 Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43)
10/01 HB 5047 Prohibits Price-Gouging during a Declared State of Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
9/10 HB 5116 Requires Public and Private Employers to Provide Paid Quarantine Leave Bill Passed - House (54 - 44)
9/04 HB 5104 Increases Employment Assessment and Review Requirements for Law Enforcement Hiring Bill Passed - House (54 - 42)
4/22 HB 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
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 395 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - House (54 - 45)
3/05 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)
3/05 HB 1251 Authorizes Enrollee not to Pay Out-of-Network Amount Except Applicable Cost-sharing Requirement (40 - 0)
2/11 SB 481 Requires Sick Leave Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/06 HB 582 Amends State Collective Bargaining Laws Relating to Right to Work Protections Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
2/06 HB 827 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
2/13 HB 2748 Increases Age for Tobacco Sale Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 32)
2/09 SB 966 Amends Various Utilities Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
2/26 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/26 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/16 SB 416 Authorizes Individuals to Rent Out Rooms through Online Platform Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/10 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
2/10 HB 1371 Prohibits Cities from Increasing Minimum Wage or Benefits Bill Passed - House (65 - 34)
1/29 SB 12 Prohibits Discrimination in Public Employment Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
1/25 SB 335 Prohibits State Employers From Inquiring about an Applicant's Criminal History Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
2/27 HB 1570 Increases Regulations on Day Care Providers Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 26)
2/11 SB 590 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/11 SB 590 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 20)
2/14 HB 1129 Reduces State Employee Retirement Benefits Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
2/14 SB 438 Amends Teacher Contracts Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)
2/13 HB 576 Amends Teacher Contract and Evaluation Policies Bill Passed - House (55 - 43)
2/08 HB 2314 Education Improvement Scholarships Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
2/02 SB 747 Prohibits Discrimination in State Employment Based on Sexual Orientation Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
3/02 SB 334 Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - House (72 - 27)
2/16 SB 464 Requiring Insurance Coverage of Autism Disorder Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
2/16 SB 660 Internet Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
2/16 SB 334 Authorizing Concealed Handguns in Establishments that Serve Alcohol Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/09 HB 629 Asbestos Lawsuit Restrictions Bill Passed - House (49 - 48)
2/25 SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (22 - 16)
2/24 SB 1035 Allowing Guns in Alcohol-Serving Establishments Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
2/19 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 13)
2/09 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - House (59 - 39)
2/03 SB 1105 Prohibiting Smoking in Bars and Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
7/09 SB 6009 Transportation Taxes Bill Failed - House (39 - 59)
6/25 SB 6009 Transportation Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
3/06 HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
3/06 SB 588 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (91 - 9)
2/11 HB 12 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (91 - 7)
2/05 SB 202 Local Regulation of Smoking in Restaurants Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
2/05 SB 501 Restaurant and Bar Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
2/05 SB 298 Banning Smoking Public Places Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
4/04 Governor's Recommendation: Restaurant Smoking Ban Amendment Rejected - House (40 - 59)
2/21 H Sub to Sub SB 1416 Regulation of Electric Utilities Bill Passed - House (82 - 16)
2/16 Sub SB 1014 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - House (72 - 27)
2/05 Sub SB 1327 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 8)
2/05 SB 1161 Virginia Smoke-Free Air Act Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 16)
1/26 SB 1014 Payday Lending Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 2)
2/14 Sub HB 1048 Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (77 - 22)
2/13 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/08 SB 648 Smoking Ban Bill Failed - Senate (18 - 20)

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