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. 27, 2013 SD HB 1087 Authorizes School Sentinel Programs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 22, 2013 SD HB 1214 Authorizes Prenatal Care for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (39 - 28)
Feb. 21, 2013 SD SB 52 Authorizes Gamblers to Bet $0.01 on Lottery Games Bill Passed - House (39 - 28)
Feb. 20, 2013 SD HB 1237 Prohibits Weekends and Holidays from Being Considered Part of the 72-Hour Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (56 - 13)
Feb. 20, 2013 SD HB 1142 Authorizes Patients to Use a Health Care Provider Outside of Their Insurance Network Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
Feb. 19, 2013 SD SB 142 Prohibits Texting While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Feb. 19, 2013 SD SB 195 Establishes Incentives for Wind Energy Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 6, 2013 SD SB 106 Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
Feb. 6, 2013 SD SB 107 Limits Drivers With Restricted Permits To 1 Passenger Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Jan. 31, 2013 SD SB 70 Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders Bill Passed - House (63 - 7)
Jan. 30, 2013 SD HB 1113 Requires Certain State Electronic Exchanges to Be Made Public Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
Jan. 29, 2013 SD HB 1087 Authorizes School Sentinel Programs Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
Jan. 28, 2013 SD HB 1108 Exempts Certain Advisory Bodies From Providing Telephone or Internet Access Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 19, 2012 SD HB 1248 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40)
March 19, 2012 SD HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23)
March 1, 2012 SD SB 141 Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse Motion Agreed - House (39 - 25)
March 1, 2012 SD HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 16)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
Feb. 29, 2012 SD HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 28, 2012 SD HB 1248 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
Feb. 28, 2012 SD H Amdt 141 Defining Domestic Abuse as Abuse Witihin an Opposite-Sex Relationship Amendment Adopted - House (35 - 33)
Feb. 28, 2012 SD SB 141 Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
Feb. 28, 2012 SD HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 28, 2012 SD HB 1253 Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
Feb. 27, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 14, 2012 SD HB 1253 Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2012 SD HB 1248 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
Feb. 13, 2012 SD HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
Jan. 30, 2012 SD HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Jan. 25, 2012 SD HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - House (55 - 13)
Oct. 24, 2011 SD HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Oct. 24, 2011 SD HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
March 8, 2011 SD SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (33 - 35)
March 2, 2011 SD HB 1217 Requiring Counseling and a Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2011 SD SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Feb. 22, 2011 SD HB 1217 Requiring Counseling and a Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
Feb. 17, 2011 SD HB 1171 Fetus Protection Bill Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4)
Feb. 9, 2011 SD HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Feb. 8, 2011 SD HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Failed - House (36 - 31)
Feb. 7, 2011 SD HB 1152 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (32 - 36)
March 30, 2010 SD SB 196 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
March 30, 2010 SD SB 196 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 29, 2010 SD SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Failed - House (33 - 34)
March 29, 2010 SD SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 29, 2010 SD SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 29, 2010 SD HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
March 10, 2010 SD HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9)
March 10, 2010 SD SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 9, 2010 SD HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
March 8, 2010 SD SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
March 8, 2010 SD SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (39 - 28)
March 8, 2010 SD HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 4, 2010 SD Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 3, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
March 1, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
March 1, 2010 SD SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 23, 2010 SD HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
Feb. 23, 2010 SD HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - House (64 - 4)
Feb. 19, 2010 SD HB 1107 Driver's License Renewal by Mail Bill Failed - House (33 - 30)
Feb. 18, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
Feb. 11, 2010 SD Jerstad Amdt Per Student Funding Increase Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
Feb. 10, 2010 SD HB 1060 Agriculture and Business Facility Tax Refund Reductions Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
Jan. 27, 2010 SD SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 13, 2009 SD HB Fiscal Year 2009-2010 State Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
March 12, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
March 11, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
Date No. Title Outcome
2/27 HB 1087 Authorizes School Sentinel Programs Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/22 HB 1214 Authorizes Prenatal Care for Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - House (39 - 28)
2/21 SB 52 Authorizes Gamblers to Bet $0.01 on Lottery Games Bill Passed - House (39 - 28)
2/20 HB 1237 Prohibits Weekends and Holidays from Being Considered Part of the 72-Hour Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (56 - 13)
2/20 HB 1142 Authorizes Patients to Use a Health Care Provider Outside of Their Insurance Network Bill Passed - House (39 - 30)
2/19 SB 142 Prohibits Texting While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
2/19 SB 195 Establishes Incentives for Wind Energy Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/06 SB 106 Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9)
2/06 SB 107 Limits Drivers With Restricted Permits To 1 Passenger Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
1/31 SB 70 Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders Bill Passed - House (63 - 7)
1/30 HB 1113 Requires Certain State Electronic Exchanges to Be Made Public Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
1/29 HB 1087 Authorizes School Sentinel Programs Bill Passed - House (42 - 27)
1/28 HB 1108 Exempts Certain Advisory Bodies From Providing Telephone or Internet Access Bill Passed - House (63 - 5)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/19 HB 1248 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40)
3/19 HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23)
3/01 SB 141 Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse Motion Agreed - House (39 - 25)
3/01 HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 16)
2/29 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33)
2/29 HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/28 HB 1248 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
2/28 H Amdt 141 Defining Domestic Abuse as Abuse Witihin an Opposite-Sex Relationship Amendment Adopted - House (35 - 33)
2/28 SB 141 Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse Bill Passed - House (46 - 22)
2/28 HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/28 HB 1253 Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/27 HB 1206 Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
2/27 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/14 HB 1253 Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/13 HB 1248 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
2/13 HB 1234 Eliminates Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (41 - 28)
1/30 HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
1/25 HCR 1004 Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools Resolution Passed - House (55 - 13)
10/24 HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
10/24 HB 1001 State Legislative Redistricting Bill Passed - House (50 - 18)
3/08 SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Failed - House (33 - 35)
3/02 HB 1217 Requiring Counseling and a Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/23 SB 156 Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
2/22 HB 1217 Requiring Counseling and a Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
2/17 HB 1171 Fetus Protection Bill Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4)
2/09 HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
2/08 HB 1061 Regulation of Registered Midwives Bill Failed - House (36 - 31)
2/07 HB 1152 Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Bill Failed - House (32 - 36)
3/30 SB 196 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (44 - 25)
3/30 SB 196 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/29 SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Failed - House (33 - 34)
3/29 SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/29 SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Veto Override Failed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/29 HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
3/10 HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9)
3/10 SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/09 HB 1231 Prescription Drug Registry Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5)
3/08 SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
3/08 SB 169 Insurance Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (39 - 28)
3/08 HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/04 Cooper Nomination John L. Cooper, Game, Fish and Parks Commission Nomination Confirmed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/03 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
3/01 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
3/01 SB 63 Pilot Charter School Bill Passed - House (49 - 20)
2/24 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/23 HB 1083 Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake Bill Failed - House (45 - 23)
2/23 HB 1240 Need-Based Education Grant Fund Bill Passed - House (64 - 4)
2/19 HB 1107 Driver's License Renewal by Mail Bill Failed - House (33 - 30)
2/18 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/17 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
2/17 HB 1178 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Bill Failed - House (32 - 37)
2/11 Jerstad Amdt Per Student Funding Increase Amendment Rejected - Senate (17 - 18)
2/10 HB 1060 Agriculture and Business Facility Tax Refund Reductions Bill Passed - House (48 - 19)
1/27 SB 18 Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/13 HB Fiscal Year 2009-2010 State Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
3/12 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
3/11 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)

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