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
Feb. 21, 2025 VA SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 3)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA SB 1021 Amends Utility Plan Reviews by Adding Transportation Issues Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA HB 2657 Authorizes Fentanyl Dealers to be Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter if Their Drugs Sold Result in a Minors Death Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
Feb. 21, 2025 VA HB 1601 Requires Sound Profiling and Reports Regarding Electrical Information Infrastructure from Data Center Applicants and Utilities in Virginia Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
Feb. 20, 2025 VA SB 1009 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 20, 2025 VA HB 2087 Reduces the Time Restraints to Build and Operate Public Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Feb. 20, 2025 VA HB 2537 Expands the Existing Mandate in the Virginia Clean Economy Act Over Battery Storage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 20, 2025 VA HB 2743 Requires Prevailing Wage Rules on Any Project Involving Underground Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Feb. 19, 2025 VA SB 1100 Establishes a Pilot Program to Authorize Utility Companies to Take Over Thermostat Control and Other Energy-Using Devices for Individuals and Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 19, 2025 VA HB 2744 Authorizes Upgrades at a Qualifying Households that Reduces or Eliminates Their Reliance on Certain Fuel Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
Feb. 19, 2025 VA HB 1883 Amends the States Existing Renewable Portfolio Standard Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
Feb. 19, 2025 VA HB 1791 Authorizes Installing Electric Vehicle Chargers in Certain Rural Areas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 19, 2025 VA HB 2094 Establishes Regulations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 19, 2025 VA HB 2356 Requires Prevailing Wage Levels for a Percentage of Job Slots for Apprentices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA SB 1105 Establishes the Right to Access and Use FDA-Approved Contraceptives Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1660 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1657 Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 18, 2025 VA HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Feb. 17, 2025 VA HB 1597 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 1876 Authorizes Public Colleges and Universities to Prohibit Guns on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2668 Establishes Procedures for the Removal of Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 1977 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Care Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2631 Establishes a 5-Day Waiting Period for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 1607 Prohibits the Manufacture, Sale, and Possession of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2056 Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2025 VA HB 2277 Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA HB 2037 Authorizes Local Ordinances that Require Solar Installment of Certain Property Owners Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA HB 2531 Requires the Virginia Employment Commission to Create an Insurance Program for Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 12, 2025 VA HB 2485 Establishes a Regulated and Taxed Cannabis Marketplace Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA SB 982 Authorizes Casinos to be Owned and Operated in New Localities Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA SB 917 Authorizes State and Local Public Employees the Right to Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
Feb. 4, 2025 VA SB 1002 Prohibits the Use of Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
Feb. 3, 2025 VA SB 854 Limits Social Media Use for Minors Under the Age of 16 to One Hour Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Feb. 3, 2025 VA SB 1098 Prohibits Healthcare Professionals from Out of State Extradition for Providing Legal Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 31, 2025 VA HJR 1 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Enshrining Rights to Abortion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2025 VA HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 31, 2025 VA SB 970 Establishes Regulatory Bodies to Legalize the Cannabis Industry in Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1134 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1105 Establishes the Right to Access and Use FDA-Approved Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 880 Prohibits Carrying Assault-Style Weapons in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 28, 2025 VA SB 886 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 891 Requires a 5-Day Waiting Period for Firearm Sales Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 881 Prohibits the Manufacturing and Sale of Unserialized Firearms (Ghost Guns) Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 27, 2025 VA SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
Jan. 21, 2025 VA SJR 249 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 15)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/21 SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (34 - 3)
2/21 HB 2276 Establishes Guidelines for Verifying and Protecting Voter Registration Information Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
2/21 SB 1021 Amends Utility Plan Reviews by Adding Transportation Issues Conference Report Adopted - Senate (21 - 19)
2/21 HB 2657 Authorizes Fentanyl Dealers to be Charged with Felony Involuntary Manslaughter if Their Drugs Sold Result in a Minors Death Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
2/21 HB 1601 Requires Sound Profiling and Reports Regarding Electrical Information Infrastructure from Data Center Applicants and Utilities in Virginia Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 13)
2/20 SB 1009 Authorizes Ranked Choice Voting for Certain Local Elections Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/20 HB 2087 Reduces the Time Restraints to Build and Operate Public Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
2/20 HB 2537 Expands the Existing Mandate in the Virginia Clean Economy Act Over Battery Storage Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/20 HB 2743 Requires Prevailing Wage Rules on Any Project Involving Underground Infrastructure Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
2/19 SB 1100 Establishes a Pilot Program to Authorize Utility Companies to Take Over Thermostat Control and Other Energy-Using Devices for Individuals and Businesses Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/19 HB 2744 Authorizes Upgrades at a Qualifying Households that Reduces or Eliminates Their Reliance on Certain Fuel Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
2/19 HB 1883 Amends the States Existing Renewable Portfolio Standard Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 17)
2/19 HB 1791 Authorizes Installing Electric Vehicle Chargers in Certain Rural Areas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/19 HB 2094 Establishes Regulations for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/19 HB 2356 Requires Prevailing Wage Levels for a Percentage of Job Slots for Apprentices Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 SB 1105 Establishes the Right to Access and Use FDA-Approved Contraceptives Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 HB 1660 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 HB 1657 Establishes Timelines for Removal of Ineligible Voters Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/18 HB 1621 Requires Each University's Governing Board to Include 2 Nonvoting Faculty and Staff Representatives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
2/17 HB 1597 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/14 SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 1876 Authorizes Public Colleges and Universities to Prohibit Guns on School Property Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 2668 Establishes Procedures for the Removal of Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 1977 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Care Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 2631 Establishes a 5-Day Waiting Period for Gun Purchases Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 2002 Prohibits the Cancellation of the Voter Registration of Deployed Service Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 1607 Prohibits the Manufacture, Sale, and Possession of Assault-Style Weapons Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 15)
2/14 HB 2056 Authorizes Localities to Set Hours of Operation for Satellite Voting Locations Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/14 HB 2277 Establishes Regulations for Electoral Board Members Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/12 HB 2037 Authorizes Local Ordinances that Require Solar Installment of Certain Property Owners Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/12 HB 2531 Requires the Virginia Employment Commission to Create an Insurance Program for Paid Family and Medical Leave Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/12 HB 2485 Establishes a Regulated and Taxed Cannabis Marketplace Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
2/04 SB 982 Authorizes Casinos to be Owned and Operated in New Localities Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
2/04 SB 746 Expands the Definition of Felony Homicide to Include Fentanyl Distributors in Lethal Overdoses Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
2/04 SB 917 Authorizes State and Local Public Employees the Right to Collective Bargaining Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
2/04 SB 1002 Prohibits the Use of Campaign Funds for Personal Expenses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 4)
2/03 SB 854 Limits Social Media Use for Minors Under the Age of 16 to One Hour Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
2/03 SB 1098 Prohibits Healthcare Professionals from Out of State Extradition for Providing Legal Services Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/31 HJR 1 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Enshrining Rights to Abortion Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/31 HJR 2 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment that Restores Felon Voting Rights Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/31 SB 970 Establishes Regulatory Bodies to Legalize the Cannabis Industry in Virginia Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
1/28 SB 1134 Requires Secure Storage of Firearms in Households with Minors Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SB 1105 Establishes the Right to Access and Use FDA-Approved Contraceptives Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SB 1182 Authorizes Public Universities to Ban Firearms and Explosive Materials in Their Buildings Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SB 880 Prohibits Carrying Assault-Style Weapons in Public Areas Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/28 SB 886 Prohibits the Use of Trigger Activators in Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
1/27 SB 891 Requires a 5-Day Waiting Period for Firearm Sales Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/27 SB 881 Prohibits the Manufacturing and Sale of Unserialized Firearms (Ghost Guns) Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/27 SB 1181 Limits the Sale of Assault-Style Firearm Weapons to Individuals 21 or Older Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/27 SB 1110 Prohibits Weapons in Hospitals that Provide Mental Health Services Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 18)
1/21 SJR 249 Establishes a Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (24 - 15)

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