Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Virginia
Votes with Republicans
98%
on 979 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 93%
Cast a vote
99%
Yea or Nay on 4,106 of 4,159 roll calls · Senate median 98%
Their bills that became law
19 of 37
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 16
Roll calls on record
4,159
2026 Regular Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 6, 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 Bill DeSteph 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 Bill DeSteph sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Bill DeSteph is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
21 of 979 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
SB342 · Condemnation of conservation or open-space easement; compensation.
In plain English Requires compensation to the state and locality when condemned land is subject to a conservation or open-space easement.
Senate rejected Governor's recommendation (10-Y 29-N 0-A) · 2026-04-22 · Failed 10–29 · most Republicans 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 agreed to by Senate (23-Y 15-N 0-A) · 2026-03-14 · Passed 23–15 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB827 · Underground transmission lines; pilot program, clarifies qualifying projects, report.
Conference report agreed to by Senate (28-Y 11-N 0-A) · 2026-03-14 · Passed 28–11 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB515 · Electric Utility Regulation, Commission on; scope and name changes to Energy Commission of Virginia.
Conference report agreed to by Senate (22-Y 17-N 0-A) · 2026-03-14 · Passed 22–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1272 · Electronic gaming devices; regulation, penalties, sunset.
Conference report agreed to by Senate (24-Y 15-N 0-A) · 2026-03-14 · Passed 24–15 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB81 · Law-enforcement officers, state and local; enforcement of federal traffic infractions.
In plain English Allows state and local law-enforcement officers to enforce federal traffic infractions in Planning District 8 and permits photo speed monitoring devices on National Park highways.
Conference report agreed to by Senate (29-Y 10-N 0-A) · 2026-03-13 · Passed 29–10 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB396 · Charitable gaming; definitions, Texas Hold'em poker tournaments, minimum age to participate.
Conference report agreed to by Senate (25-Y 14-N 0-A) · 2026-03-13 · Passed 25–14 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB230 · Police and court records; expungement of records, delayed effective date.
In plain English Allows people not ultimately convicted of charges to request expungement of police and court records, with certain conditions, effective December 1, 2026.
House substitute agreed to by Senate (26-Y 14-N 0-A) · 2026-03-06 · Passed 26–14 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB301 · Adult adoptees; access to vital records.
Passed Senate (28-Y 12-N 0-A) · 2026-03-04 · Passed 28–12 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1348 · Campaign finance; large pre-election contributions report, election day reporting requirement.
Failed to report from Privileges and Elections with substitute (5-Y 9-N 1-A) · 2026-03-03 · Failed 5–9 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
SB347 · Solar facilities; local regulation, permits, special exceptions.
In plain English Requires localities to set standards for ground-mounted solar facilities of one megawatt or more and report decisions to the state starting July 1, 2026.
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (18-Y 18-N 0-A) · 2026-04-22 · Failed 18–18
HB505 · Counties, cities, & towns; members of governing body, continuing personal interest in transactions.
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (19-Y 19-N 0-A) · 2026-04-22 · Failed 19–19
HB1093 · Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, attorney fees capped.
Passed Senate with amendment (20-Y 20-N 0-A) · 2026-03-10 · Failed 20–20
HB86 · Mattress Stewardship Program; established, definitions, report.
Passed Senate (20-Y 20-N 0-A) · 2026-03-10 · Failed 20–20
SB109 · School boards; safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms in the household.
House substitute agreed to by Senate (20-Y 20-N 0-A) · 2026-03-04 · Failed 20–20
Democrats 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.
Elizabeth Bennett-ParkerDemocrat · District 39 · 347 shared contested votes
11%
Dave MarsdenDemocrat · District 35 · 962 shared contested votes
9%
Stella PekarskyDemocrat · District 36 · 878 shared contested votes
8%
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 (53 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Virginia Delegation
YeaYeaNayNayNayNayNayYeaNayNayYeaNayNayNayNayYeaNayNayYeaYeaNayNayYeaNayYeaNayNayYeaYeaNayNayNayNayYeaYeaNayNayNayNayYeaNayYeaNayNayNayNayYeaNayYeaNayNayNayNayNayNayNayNayNayNayNay
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Bill DeSteph 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.
Introduced37
Out of committee23
Passed one chamber22
Passed both chambers19
Became law19
Never left committee14
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 16 bills that became law this session.
Motor vehicle insurance; unauthorized addition of insured drivers prohibited.
Motor vehicle insurance; unauthorized addition of insured drivers prohibited. Prohibits an insurance carrier authorized to issue motor vehicle liability insurance policies from automatically adding any person to the list of persons insured under a motor vehicle owner's policy or to the household of a named…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0898) · 2026-04-13
Mechanics and storage liens; vehicle data.
Mechanics and storage liens; abandoned vehicles; vehicle records. Removes the requirement that the Department of Motor Vehicles, when searching for owner or lienholder information for a vehicle titled in another jurisdiction for (i) the enforcement of a mechanic's or storage lien or (ii) determining ownership of an abandoned vehicle, ascertain such information…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0826) · 2026-04-13
Tow truck drivers; prohibited acts, employing unregistered tow truck drivers.
Tow truck drivers; registration. Prohibits towing and recovery operators from employing tow truck drivers who are not registered with the Department of Criminal Justice Services, as required under current law. The bill also limits the requirement that a registered tow truck driver have his registration…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0501) · 2026-04-08
Va. War Memorial Foundation; Commissioner of Dept. of Veterans Services shall provide supervision.
Department of Veterans Services; Virginia War Memorial division. Clarifies that the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services shall provide supervision of the Virginia War Memorial Foundation and any other nonprofit corporation established as an instrumentality to provide fundraising for the Memorial and assist in…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0257) · 2026-04-06
Alcoholic beverage control; commercial lifestyle center licenses.
Alcoholic beverage control; retail licenses; commercial lifestyle center licenses. Allows the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority to grant a commercial lifestyle center license and a performing arts facility license for the same designated area in any municipality with a population…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0327) · 2026-04-06
Commending Naval Air Station Oceana.
Became lawBill text as passed Senate (SR108ER) · 2026-03-24
Celebrating the life of F. Patrick Kavanaugh, Jr.
Became lawBill text as passed Senate (SR98ER) · 2026-03-24
Celebrating the life of Virginia Esqueda Gilpin.
Became lawBill text as passed Senate (SR99ER) · 2026-03-24
Celebrating the life of Edward Phillip Hickman, Jr.
Became lawBill text as passed Senate and House (SJ176ER) · 2026-03-14
Commending Chester and Barbara Ehrenzeller.
Became lawBill text as passed Senate and House (SJ173ER) · 2026-03-14
Commending Richard A. Snyder.
Became lawBill text as passed Senate and House (SJ159ER) · 2026-03-14
Geriatric prisoners; conditional release.
Conditional release of geriatric prisoners. Expands the list of offenses that prohibit a person from petitioning the Parole Board for conditional release as a geriatric prisoner.
Passed one chamberLeft in Finance and Appropriations · 2026-03-10
Positive behavior support facilitators; scope of practice, supervision, and qualifications.
Positive behavior support facilitators; scope of practice, supervision, and qualifications. Adds positive behavior support facilitators to the professions governed by the Board of Counseling. The bill establishes qualification, scope of practice, and supervision requirements and directs the Board of Counseling to adopt regulations governing positive…
Passed one chamberLeft in Health and Human Services · 2026-03-10
Motor vehicle title databases; DMV to enter agreements with nationally recognized databases, etc.
Department of Motor Vehicles; motor vehicle title databases. Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to enter into agreements with nationally recognized motor vehicle title databases to share and receive motor vehicle owner and lienholder information between governmental entities.
Passed one chamberLeft in Transportation · 2026-03-10
Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
Loading committees…
HB484 · 2026-04-22
Health insurance; ethics and fairness in carrier business practices, downcoded claims. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
HB1393 · 2026-04-22
Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (34-Y 5-N 0-A))
HB1525 · 2026-04-22
Firearms, certain; definitions, possession, transportation, or purchase by certain persons, penalty. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB630 · 2026-04-22
Elections; ranked choice voting, locally elected offices, report. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB320 · 2026-04-22
Live streaming while driving; prohibited, penalty. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (25-Y 14-N 0-A))
SB352 · 2026-04-22
Law-enforcement officers; restrictions on wearing of facial coverings, exceptions, penalty. (Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB640 · 2026-04-22
Elections; challenges to a voter or voter's registration, filing of petition, notice of appeal. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB225 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank; created, report, membership. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
HB892 · 2026-04-22
Electric utilities; integrated resource plans; SCC to investigate electric load forecasts. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB773 · 2026-04-22
Elections; absentee voting, cure process, delayed effective date. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB125 · 2026-04-22
Children's Ombudsman, Office of the; powers and duties, report. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
SB749 · 2026-04-22
Assault firearms & certain ammunition feeding devices; purchase, sale, etc., prohibited, penalties. (Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB803 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Fair Housing Law; regulations defining terms related to unlawful conduct. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 17-N 0-A))
HB1377 · 2026-04-22
VMI; Bd. of Visitors to examine higher education at the Institute. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB783 · 2026-04-22
Law-enforcement agencies; agreements with federal authority for immigration enforcement. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB620 · 2026-04-22
Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (37-Y 2-N 0-A))
HB238 · 2026-04-22
Minimum wage and overtime wages; payment, of wages, misclassification of workers, civil actions. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB711 · 2026-04-22
Solar facilities; local regulation, permits, special exceptions. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (20-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB1457 · 2026-04-22
Vehicle weight limits; violations, owner or lessee of commercial motor vehicle hauling coal. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
HB308 · 2026-04-22
Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (37-Y 2-N 0-A))
HB2 · 2026-04-22
Electric utilities; energy efficiency upgrades, report. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 17-N 0-A))
SB543 · 2026-04-22
Marijuana and hemp products; enforcement. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB455 · 2026-04-22
Va. Opioid Use Red. & Jail-Based Substance Use Disorder Trtmt. and Transition Fund; grant procedure. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
SB230 · 2026-04-22
Police and court records; expungement of records, delayed effective date. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation Nos. 1 and 3 (24-Y 15-N 0-A))
HB101 · 2026-04-22
Concealed handguns; alternate methods of submission of applications for permits. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
SB324 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB614 · 2026-04-22
History/soc.science SOL & Curriculum Framework; review of instruction on roles of all peoples. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB820 · 2026-04-22
Mixed-income housing; creating a two-year pilot program that provides loan origination, etc. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
HB857 · 2026-04-22
Home/electronic incarceration program; court shall assign pregnant/postpartum persons to program. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (38-Y 0-N 0-A))
SB107 · 2026-04-22
Jury service; exemptions upon request, certain caretakers of persons with serious health conditions. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (35-Y 4-N 0-A))
SB62 · 2026-04-22
Marijuana-related offenses; modification of sentence, sunset. (Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB256 · 2026-04-22
Appliance minimum energy and water conservation standards; requirement of manufacturers. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB1011 · 2026-04-22
Compost and other products containing organic soil amendments; waste disposal infrastructure, etc. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB197 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund; loan and grant program, deferment of interest accrual. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
SB285 · 2026-04-22
Urban Public-Private Partnership Redevelopment grant program; Board of HCD to review, etc. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
SB337 · 2026-04-22
Virginia National Guard; reports to General Assembly, state militias, etc. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB223 · 2026-04-22
Distributed Energy Resources Task Force; created, membership, reports, sunset. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (22-Y 17-N 0-A))
HB41 · 2026-04-22
Elections; procedures for removal of electoral board members and general registrars. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB364 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Gun Violence Prevention Center; work group to develop policy, etc., to establish. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB796 · 2026-04-22
Regulatory boards; adjustment of fees, recovery of disciplinary and monitoring costs, report. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
SB518 · 2026-04-22
Public works contracts; prevailing wage rate, definitions, civil penalty. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB536 · 2026-04-22
Medical malpractice information disclosures; report. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (37-Y 2-N 0-A))
SB173 · 2026-04-22
Weapons; possession prohibited in hospital that provides mental health or developmental services. (Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB318 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Parole Board; powers and duties, juvenile offenders, parole procedures and considerations. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB342 · 2026-04-22
Condemnation of conservation or open-space easement; compensation. (Senate rejected Governor's recommendation (10-Y 29-N 0-A))
SB342 · 2026-04-22
Condemnation of conservation or open-space easement; compensation. (Passed in enrolled form (32-Y 7-N 0-A))
SB706 · 2026-04-22
Opioid antagonist; distribution program, reports. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (39-Y 0-N 0-A))
SB347 · 2026-04-22
Solar facilities; local regulation, permits, special exceptions. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (18-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB767 · 2026-04-22
Motor vehicles; glass repair and replacement, emissions inspections, penalties, repeals. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (38-Y 0-N 0-A))
SB72 · 2026-04-22
Electric utilities; energy efficiency upgrades, report. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB379 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; application, notice, deposit, fee. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (23-Y 16-N 0-A))
HB286 · 2026-04-22
Virginia National Guard; orders transmitted to and through Governor, annual reports. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB388 · 2026-04-22
Affordable housing; religious organizations and other nonprofit tax-exempt properties. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB1046 · 2026-04-22
Virginia Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
SB176 · 2026-04-22
Elections; ranked choice voting, locally elected offices, report. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB909 · 2026-04-22
Elections; certain conduct prohibited at polling places applicable to locations for absentee voting. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB505 · 2026-04-22
Counties, cities, & towns; members of governing body, continuing personal interest in transactions. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (19-Y 19-N 0-A))
HB234 · 2026-04-22
Elections; general provisions, electoral board members to wear identification, civil penalty. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB281 · 2026-04-22
Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
HB1524 · 2026-04-22
Assault firearms; carrying in public areas prohibited, exceptions, penalty. (Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A))
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 4159 total roll-call votes this session).
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