Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Virginia
Votes with Democrats
97%
on 1,039 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 99%
Cast a vote
93%
Yea or Nay on 4,207 of 4,522 roll calls · Senate median 98%
Their bills that became law
11 of 26
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 21
Roll calls on record
4,522
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 Dave Marsden 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 Dave Marsden 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. Dave Marsden is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
27 of 1,039 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
HB1481 · Employment discrimination; employee notification of federal and state statute of limitations.
Defeated by Senate (17-Y 23-N 0-A) · 2026-03-11 · Failed 17–23 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1479 · Punitive damages; hit and run drivers.
In plain English Allows punitive damages to be awarded in lawsuits for personal injury or death caused by felony hit and run drivers.
Committee amendment agreed to (26-Y 14-N 0-A) · 2026-03-11 · Passed 26–14 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1111 · Civil litigation; suspension bonds and irrevocable letters of credit upon appeal.
In plain English Increases the cap on suspension bonds and irrevocable letters of credit for civil appeals from $25 million to $50 million, with automatic adjustments for inflation every five years starting in 2031.
Defeated by Senate (17-Y 23-N 0-A) · 2026-03-11 · Failed 17–23 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB19 · Firearms; purchase, etc., after assault & battery of family or household member or intimate partner.
Recede from Senate substitute defeated by Senate (18-Y 22-N 0-A) · 2026-03-06 · Failed 18–22 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB161 · Virginia Lottery; internet gaming authorized, definitions, penalties, effective clause.
Passed Senate with substitute (21-Y 17-N 0-A) · 2026-03-04 · Passed 21–17 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB109 · School boards; safe storage of prescription drugs and firearms in the household.
In plain English Requires school boards to annually notify parents by email and text about safely storing prescription drugs and firearms at home, including state laws and firearm injury statistics.
House substitute agreed to by Senate (20-Y 20-N 0-A) · 2026-03-04 · Failed 20–20 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB41 · Elections; procedures for removal of electoral board members and general registrars.
In plain English Allows the State Board of Elections to remove electoral board members or general registrars by two-thirds vote after a public hearing for neglect of duty, misuse of office, or incompetence.
Passed Senate (20-Y 20-N 0-A) · 2026-03-02 · Failed 20–20 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1238 · Local ordinances; locality may regulate or prohibit sale of animals in a pet shop, effective clause.
Failed to report (defeated) in Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources (6-Y 8-N) · 2026-02-24 · Failed 6–8 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB365 · Emergency vehicles; exempt from certain traffic regulations.
Passed by indefinitely in Transportation (8-Y 7-N) · 2026-02-19 · Passed 8–7 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB191 · Railroad safety; minimum train crew used in movement of freight.
In plain English Requires at least two qualified crew members on freight trains, except for hostler or utility service, and directs the State Corporation Commission to report railroad safety violations to federal regulators.
Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 20-N 0-A) · 2026-02-17 · Failed 20–20 · most Democrats 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.
In plain English Requires school boards to annually notify parents by email and text about safely storing prescription drugs and firearms at home, including state laws and firearm injury statistics.
House substitute agreed to by Senate (20-Y 20-N 0-A) · 2026-03-04 · Failed 20–20
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.
Danny DiggsRepublican · District 24 · 865 shared contested votes
28%
David SuetterleinRepublican · District 4 · 890 shared contested votes
23%
Richard StuartRepublican · District 25 · 976 shared contested votes
21%
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 (315 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Virginia Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Dave Marsden 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 committee18
Passed one chamber14
Passed both chambers11
Became law11
Never left committee8
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 21 bills that became law this session.
Virginia Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan; OSAF to develop and implement comprehensive Plan, report.
In plain English Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry to develop a comprehensive farm and forest prosperity plan during each new governor's first year and report progress by December 1.
Official synopsis: Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry; Virginia Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan; report. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, during the first year of each new gubernatorial administration, to develop and implement a written comprehensive Virginia Farm and Forest Prosperity Plan that is designed to…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0831) · 2026-04-13
Handguns in unattended motor vehicle; definitions, penalty.
In plain English Requires handguns left in unattended vehicles to be stored in locked hard-sided containers, with violations as a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Official synopsis: Firearm in unattended motor vehicle; penalty. Creates a Class 4 misdemeanor for any person who, when leaving a handgun in an unattended vehicle, fails to securely store such handgun in a locked hard-sided container, including a locked container that is affixed to the vehicle's interior…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0561) · 2026-04-13
Virginia Stock Corporation Act; changes to Act.
In plain English Changes Virginia's stock corporation law to update board authority over share issuance, shareholder agreements, record-keeping requirements, and shareholder voting procedures, among other changes.
Official synopsis: Virginia Stock Corporation Act. Makes various changes to the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, many of which conform the Act to recent changes to the Model Business Corporation Act produced by the Corporate Laws Committee of the American Bar Association's Business Law Section. Among other things,…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0892) · 2026-04-13
Driver training schools; instructor identification license.
In plain English Requires driver training school instructors to display their instructor license visibly in the vehicle while conducting behind-the-wheel training.
Official synopsis: Driver training schools; instructor identification license. Requires any instructor employed by a driver training school, when conducting behind-the-wheel training or any other training in which a student of a driver training school is driving or operating a motor vehicle, to display, or cause to be…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0521) · 2026-04-08
Public utilities; water and sewerage companies, discounted rates for low-income customers.
In plain English Allows water and sewerage companies to offer discounted rates to low-income customers and recover costs through commercial and industrial rates.
Official synopsis: Public utilities; water and sewerage companies; discounted rates for low-income customers. Provides that a public utility engaged in the business of furnishing water or sewerage facilities may propose and the State Corporation Commission may approve rates and tariff provisions that provide discounted service to customers…
Became lawActs of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0218) · 2026-04-06
Commending the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Became lawBill text as passed Senate and House (SJ257ER) · 2026-03-25
Commending the River Basin Grand Winners of the Clean Water Farm Award.
Became lawBill text as passed Senate and House (SJ268ER) · 2026-03-25
Parole; JLARC to study expansion of discretionary eligibility.
Study; JLARC; expansion of discretionary parole eligibility; report. Directs the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to consult with all relevant stakeholders to study the potential impacts of expanded discretionary parole eligibility. The resolution directs JLARC to complete its first year of meetings by…
Became lawBill text as passed Senate and House (SJ26ER) · 2026-03-11
Chesapeake Bay Pay for Outcomes Fund; established, report.
Chesapeake Bay Pay for Outcomes Fund established; report. Establishes the Chesapeake Bay Pay for Outcomes Fund to provide outcome-based payments for verified reductions in nutrient and sediment pollution from nonpoint sources within the Chesapeake Bay watershed of the Commonwealth. The Department of Environmental Quality is…
Passed one chamberTabled in Appropriations (22-Y 0-N) · 2026-03-09
Children's Ombudsman, Office of the; study extending oversight to include committed juveniles.
Virginia Commission on Youth; work group to study extending oversight of Office of the Children's Ombudsman to include committed juveniles; report. Directs the Virginia Commission on Youth, in coordination with the Office of the Children's Ombudsman, to convene a work group of relevant stakeholders to…
Passed one chamberContinued to next session in Rules (Voice Vote) · 2026-03-06
Title insurance; schedule of risk rates, policy rates.
Title insurance; schedule of risk rates. Requires each title insurance company to publish its schedule of risk rates, including policies, endorsements, closing protection letter fees, any rate classifications or groupings, and any modifications or amendments. The bill prohibits a title insurance company or a title…
Passed one chamberTabled in Courts of Justice (14-Y 4-N) · 2026-03-02
Solar facilities; Department of Energy to develop criteria to determine appropriateness of sites.
Department of Energy; developing criteria to determine the appropriateness of sites for solar facilities. Requires the Department of Energy (the Department) to develop a set of criteria to be used by reviewers to (i) assess the appropriateness of potential siting areas and (ii) assign a…
Out of committeeLeft in Finance and Appropriations · 2026-02-17
“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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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 4522 total roll-call votes this session).
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