Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Virginia
Democratic
· Delegate
Laura Jane Cohen
Represents District 15 in the House of Delegates.
Votes with Democrats
99%
on 966 party-line votes · House Democrats median 99%
Cast a vote
95%
Yea or Nay on 2,711 of 2,863 roll calls · House median 99%
Their bills that became law
17 of 26
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 16
Roll calls on record
2,863
2026 Regular Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 12, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2026 Regular Regular Session.
How Laura Jane Cohen votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Laura Jane Cohen sits in the House
Each dot is one member of the House, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Laura Jane Cohen is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
12 of 966 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
SB661 · Va. Small Business Economic Dev. Act; established, regulation and taxation of skill game machines.
In plain English Authorizes electronic skill gaming devices under Virginia Lottery regulation, imposes a 25 percent tax on profits, and establishes penalties for violations.
Conference report agreed to by House (57-Y 38-N 1-A) · 2026-03-14 · Passed 57–38 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB661 · Va. Small Business Economic Dev. Act; established, regulation and taxation of skill game machines.
In plain English Authorizes electronic skill gaming devices under Virginia Lottery regulation, imposes a 25 percent tax on profits, and establishes penalties for violations.
Conference report rejected by House (49-Y 44-N 3-A) · 2026-03-14 · Passed 49–44 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB223 · Distributed Energy Resources Task Force; created, membership, reports, sunset.
In plain English Creates a Distributed Energy Resources Task Force to develop a strategy for advancing distributed energy resource markets and requires reports to state and federal officials before sunset on July 1, 2027.
Conference report agreed to by House (65-Y 32-N 0-A) · 2026-03-14 · Passed 65–32 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1272 · Electronic gaming devices; regulation, penalties, sunset.
Conference report rejected by House (46-Y 47-N 1-A) · 2026-03-14 · Failed 46–47 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1272 · Electronic gaming devices; regulation, penalties, sunset.
Conference report rejected by House (42-Y 52-N 1-A) · 2026-03-14 · Failed 42–52 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB161 · Virginia Lottery; internet gaming authorized, definitions, penalties, effective clause.
Read third time and defeated by House (46-Y 49-N 0-A) · 2026-02-17 · Failed 46–49 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1238 · Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.
Read third time and passed House (58-Y 36-N 0-A) · 2026-02-17 · Passed 58–36 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1238 · Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with amendment(s) (12-Y 8-N) · 2026-02-13 · Passed 12–8 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB483 · Prescription Drug Affordability Board; established.
In plain English Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Advisory Panel to analyze drug pricing and recommend affordability policies, and prohibits manufacturers from charging more than federally set maximum prices for certain drugs.
Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations (14-Y 8-N) · 2026-01-29 · Passed 14–8 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1190 · Public waterworks; appointments of receiver for waterworks.
Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting with amendment(s) (3-Y 5-N) · 2026-01-29 · Failed 3–5 · most Democrats voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
HB1272 · Electronic gaming devices; regulation, penalties, sunset.
Conference report rejected by House (46-Y 47-N 1-A) · 2026-03-14 · Failed 46–47
SB454 · Zoning; by-right multifamily residential development.
Reported from Counties, Cities and Towns with substitute (11-Y 10-N) · 2026-02-27 · Passed 11–10
HB625 · Health insurance; limit on cost-sharing payments for prescription drugs under certain plans.
In plain English Requires health insurers to offer at least one plan at each coverage level with prescription drug cost-sharing capped at $150-$300 per 30-day supply, depending on plan tier.
Subcommittee failed to recommend reporting (4-Y 5-N) · 2026-02-03 · Failed 4–5
HB516 · Health insurance; coverage for non-opioid prescription drugs.
Subcommittee recommends laying on the table (5-Y 4-N) · 2026-02-03 · Passed 5–4
HB483 · Prescription Drug Affordability Board; established.
In plain English Establishes a Prescription Drug Affordability Advisory Panel to analyze drug pricing and recommend affordability policies, and prohibits manufacturers from charging more than federally set maximum prices for certain drugs.
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations (5-Y 4-N) · 2026-01-27 · Passed 5–4
Republicans they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Rob BloxomRepublican · District 100 · 902 shared contested votes
34%
Will MorefieldRepublican · District 43 · 952 shared contested votes
28%
Ellen McLaughlinRepublican · District 36 · 918 shared contested votes
23%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (152 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Virginia Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Laura Jane Cohen was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced26
Out of committee20
Passed one chamber20
Passed both chambers17
Became law17
Never left committee6
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the House has 16 bills that became law this session.
Small Business & Supplier Diversity, Dept. of; powers & duties, employment services organizations.
Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; powers and duties; employment services organizations and service disabled veteran-owned and military family-owned businesses. Directs the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity to coordinate with the Department of General Services and other state agencies with procurement responsibility…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1054) · 2026-04-22
Statewide maternal health safety initiative; Commissioner of Health, et al., to evaluate, report.
In plain English Directs the Commissioner of Health to convene a work group to evaluate a statewide maternal health safety initiative and report findings by specified dates.
Official synopsis: Commissioner of Health; feasibility of a statewide maternal health safety initiative; work group; reports. Directs the Commissioner of Health to convene a work group of relevant stakeholders, described in the bill, to evaluate the feasibility of a statewide maternal health safety initiative. The bill directs…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0781) · 2026-04-13
Veterinarians; amending applications of licensure, etc.
Board of Veterinary Medicine; applications for licensure or renewal; indication of interest to serve as a veterinarian for a public or private animal shelter. Directs the Board of Veterinary Medicine to amend its applications for licensure and renewal of licensure to allow applicants to indicate interest…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0768) · 2026-04-13
Special education; certain educational settings, student age range restriction.
In plain English Prohibits students with disabilities in kindergarten through sixth grade from being placed in educational settings with more than a four-year age range unless their IEP team approves an exception.
Official synopsis: Special education; student age range restrictions in educational settings. Prohibits any student with a disability in grades kindergarten through six from being regularly assigned to any educational setting, including any specialized educational setting, in which the maximum age range exceeds four years unless the student's…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0617) · 2026-04-13
Students with disabilities; development of transition IEP, access by students, report.
In plain English Requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia to develop guidelines for transition IEPs for students with disabilities and report findings by November 2026.
Official synopsis: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; guidelines for developing a transition IEP; report. Requires the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (the Council), in consultation with the Department of Education and representatives of public institutions of higher education and public secondary schools in…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0619) · 2026-04-13
Health Ed. SOL; Bd. of Ed. to require literacy instruction in grade 9 & 10 in next revision.
In plain English Requires the Board of Education to develop health care literacy instruction for grades 9 and 10 and remove duplicative or outdated health instruction during its next Standards of Learning revision.
Official synopsis: Board of Education; review and revision of Health Education Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework; development of health care literacy instruction; removal of duplicative or outdated health instruction. Directs the Board of Education, during its next regularly scheduled revision of the Health Education Standards of…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0799) · 2026-04-13
Behavior Analysis, Advisory Board on; amends composition.
Advisory Board on Behavior Analysis; composition. Amends the composition of the Advisory Board on Behavior Analysis to require that three members shall be licensed behavior analysts or licensed assistant behavior analysts who have practiced for at least three years. Under current law, the composition of…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0618) · 2026-04-13
Driver education; dangers of reckless driving, including driving at excessive speeds.
In plain English Requires Virginia's driver education program to emphasize dangers of reckless and excessive-speed driving, including updated materials and police partnerships by the 2026-2027 school year.
Official synopsis: Driver education; dangers of reckless driving, including driving at excessive speeds. Requires the driver education program established by the Board of Education to emphasize the dangers of reckless driving, including driving at excessive speeds, among other topics. The bill requires the Department of Education, no…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0307) · 2026-04-06
Psilocybin; Board of Pharmacy to reschedule upon federal scheduling changes.
In plain English Requires the Board of Pharmacy to reschedule psilocybin to match federal scheduling if the FDA approves a psilocybin formulation for professional medical use.
Official synopsis: Board of Pharmacy; regulation of psilocybin. Directs the Board of Pharmacy to reschedule psilocybin consistent with federal scheduling upon approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of a formulation of psilocybin designed to be administered by a health care professional in a health care…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0305) · 2026-04-06
Autism Competencies Checklist; positive behavior support facilitators, training.
In plain English Allows positive behavior support facilitators to conduct autism competency training for support professionals serving people with developmental disabilities.
Official synopsis: Department of Medical Assistance Services; Autism Competencies Checklist; positive behavior support facilitators; training. Directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services to amend its regulations relating to the Autism Competencies Checklist to allow positive behavior support facilitators to conduct training sessions on such competencies for direct…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0150) · 2026-04-06
State Corporation Commission; time frame for completion of certain proceedings.
In plain English Requires the State Corporation Commission to complete utility transmission line proceedings within nine months, with possible 120-day extensions.
Official synopsis: State Corporation Commission; time frame for completion of certain proceedings. Requires the State Corporation Commission to complete proceedings involving an application for a certificate, permit, or approval required for the construction or operation by a public utility of certain transmission lines within nine months following…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0148) · 2026-04-06
Hate crimes; crime victim's right to nondisclosure of certain information.
In plain English Prohibits law enforcement from publicly identifying hate crime victims unless required by law, necessary for investigation, approved by court, or consented to by the victim.
Official synopsis: Crime victim's right to nondisclosure of certain information; hate crimes. Prohibits a law-enforcement agency from disclosing to the public information that directly or indirectly identifies the victim of a hate crime, defined in relevant law, except to the extent that disclosure is (i) of the…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0147) · 2026-04-06
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
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SB24 · 2026-04-22
Discovery materials or evidence; accused may request to copy or photograph any materials. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (87-Y 8-N 0-A))
HB969 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Gun Violence Prevention Center; work group to develop policy, etc., to establish. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 35-N 0-A))
HB61 · 2026-04-22
Small SWaM Business Procurement Enhancement Program; established, report. (Governor's amendment nos. 1 – 3 agreed to (64-Y 36-N 0-A))
HB484 · 2026-04-22
Health insurance; ethics and fairness in carrier business practices, downcoded claims. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (99-Y 1-N 0-A))
HB1393 · 2026-04-22
Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (Governor's amendment nos. 7, 9, and 10 agreed to (70-Y 29-N 0-A))
HB1525 · 2026-04-22
Firearms, certain; definitions, possession, transportation, or purchase by certain persons, penalty. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (63-Y 36-N 0-A))
HB320 · 2026-04-22
Live streaming while driving; prohibited, penalty. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (90-Y 10-N 0-A))
SB225 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank; created, report, membership. (Governor's amendments nos. 4-8 agreed to (64-Y 33-N 0-A))
HB630 · 2026-04-22
Elections; ranked choice voting, locally elected offices, report. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 35-N 0-A))
HB892 · 2026-04-22
Electric utilities; integrated resource plans; SCC to investigate electric load forecasts. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (63-Y 33-N 0-A))
HB773 · 2026-04-22
Elections; absentee voting, cure process, delayed effective date. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (63-Y 36-N 0-A))
HB640 · 2026-04-22
Elections; challenges to a voter or voter's registration, filing of petition, notice of appeal. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 36-N 0-A))
SB803 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Fair Housing Law; regulations defining terms related to unlawful conduct. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A))
HB1377 · 2026-04-22
VMI; Bd. of Visitors to examine higher education at the Institute. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (69-Y 31-N 0-A))
SB783 · 2026-04-22
Law-enforcement agencies; agreements with federal authority for immigration enforcement. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (63-Y 34-N 0-A))
SB620 · 2026-04-22
Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (94-Y 4-N 0-A))
HB834 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (66-Y 33-N 0-A))
HB308 · 2026-04-22
Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (99-Y 0-N 0-A))
HB238 · 2026-04-22
Minimum wage and overtime wages; payment, of wages, misclassification of workers, civil actions. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 36-N 0-A))
HB711 · 2026-04-22
Solar facilities; local regulation, permits, special exceptions. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 35-N 0-A))
HB1043 · 2026-04-22
Affordable and Special Needs Housing program, etc.; applicant notification of awards and denials. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (99-Y 0-N 0-A))
HB1457 · 2026-04-22
Vehicle weight limits; violations, owner or lessee of commercial motor vehicle hauling coal. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (98-Y 0-N 0-A))
HB2 · 2026-04-22
Electric utilities; energy efficiency upgrades, report. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 35-N 0-A))
SB543 · 2026-04-22
Marijuana and hemp products; enforcement. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 33-N 0-A))
HB460 · 2026-04-22
Small Business & Supplier Diversity, Dept. of; powers & duties, employment services organizations. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (88-Y 9-N 0-A))
SB230 · 2026-04-22
Police and court records; expungement of records, delayed effective date. (Governor's amendments nos. 1 and 3 agreed to (72-Y 25-N 0-A))
HB614 · 2026-04-22
History/soc.science SOL & Curriculum Framework; review of instruction on roles of all peoples. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 33-N 0-A))
SB731 · 2026-04-22
Private companies providing public transportation services; employee protections. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A))
HB101 · 2026-04-22
Concealed handguns; alternate methods of submission of applications for permits. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (99-Y 0-N 0-A))
SB324 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A))
HB820 · 2026-04-22
Mixed-income housing; creating a two-year pilot program that provides loan origination, etc. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (88-Y 11-N 0-A))
HB857 · 2026-04-22
Home/electronic incarceration program; court shall assign pregnant/postpartum persons to program. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (89-Y 11-N 0-A))
SB256 · 2026-04-22
Appliance minimum energy and water conservation standards; requirement of manufacturers. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A))
HB1011 · 2026-04-22
Compost and other products containing organic soil amendments; waste disposal infrastructure, etc. (Governor's amendment nos. 1, 4, and 5 agreed to (66-Y 34-N 0-A))
SB197 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund; loan and grant program, deferment of interest accrual. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (94-Y 1-N 0-A))
SB285 · 2026-04-22
Urban Public-Private Partnership Redevelopment grant program; Board of HCD to review, etc. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (95-Y 2-N 0-A))
SB223 · 2026-04-22
Distributed Energy Resources Task Force; created, membership, reports, sunset. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 33-N 0-A))
SB337 · 2026-04-22
Virginia National Guard; reports to General Assembly, state militias, etc. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A))
SB364 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Gun Violence Prevention Center; work group to develop policy, etc., to establish. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A))
HB318 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Parole Board; powers and duties, juvenile offenders, parole procedures and considerations. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (67-Y 33-N 0-A))
SB518 · 2026-04-22
Public works contracts; prevailing wage rate, definitions, civil penalty. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A))
SB536 · 2026-04-22
Medical malpractice information disclosures; report. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (76-Y 21-N 0-A))
SB347 · 2026-04-22
Solar facilities; local regulation, permits, special exceptions. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 34-N 0-A))
SB72 · 2026-04-22
Electric utilities; energy efficiency upgrades, report. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 33-N 0-A))
HB379 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; application, notice, deposit, fee. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 35-N 0-A))
HB1046 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 35-N 0-A))
SB176 · 2026-04-22
Elections; ranked choice voting, locally elected offices, report. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (65-Y 33-N 0-A))
HB234 · 2026-04-22
Elections; general provisions, electoral board members to wear identification, civil penalty. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 36-N 0-A))
HB286 · 2026-04-22
Virginia National Guard; orders transmitted to and through Governor, annual reports. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 36-N 0-A))
HB909 · 2026-04-22
Elections; certain conduct prohibited at polling places applicable to locations for absentee voting. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 36-N 0-A))
SB550 · 2026-04-22
Transportation network companies; publishing and disclosure requirements, delayed effective date. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (94-Y 0-N 0-A))
HB1524 · 2026-04-22
Assault firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited, exceptions, penalty. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (59-Y 40-N 0-A))
HB505 · 2026-04-22
Counties, cities, & towns; members of governing body, continuing personal interest in transactions. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (69-Y 31-N 0-A))
HB281 · 2026-04-22
Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (64-Y 36-N 0-A))
HB312 · 2026-04-22
Motor vehicles; glass repair and replacement, emissions inspections, penalties, repeals. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (72-Y 28-N 0-A))
SB126 · 2026-04-22
Primary election; when filings to be made, extension for incumbents failure to file. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (79-Y 19-N 0-A))
HB627 · 2026-04-22
Covenants not to compete; includes health care professionals, civil penalty. (Governor's amendment no. 1 agreed to (96-Y 3-N 0-A))
SB81 · 2026-04-22
Law-enforcement officers, state and local; enforcement of federal traffic infractions. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (66-Y 31-N 0-A))
SB60 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Parole Board; powers and duties, juvenile offenders, parole procedures and considerations. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (66-Y 31-N 0-A))
SB137 · 2026-04-22
Obstructing health care facility; penalties. (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (66-Y 32-N 0-A))
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 2863 total roll-call votes this session).
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