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:
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.
| Date | State | Bill No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 25, 2020 | SD | SB 147 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | SD | SJR 501 | Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| March 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1191 | Authorizes the Cultivation of Industrial Hemp | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| March 7, 2019 | SD | SB 189 | Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
| March 4, 2019 | SD | HB 1094 | Increases Transparency in the Petition Circulation Process | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Feb. 20, 2019 | SD | SB 115 | Authorizes Constitutional Carry Within the Capital | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| Jan. 22, 2019 | SD | SB 47 | Authorizes Concealed Carry to Individuals Without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| March 6, 2018 | SD | HB 1140 | Amends Public Water Provisions | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| Feb. 27, 2018 | SD | HB 1199 | Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities | Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18) |
| Feb. 22, 2017 | SD | SB 149 | Authorizes Child-Placement Agencies to Deny Services Based on Religion | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| March 11, 2016 | SD | SB 172 | 2016-2017 Budget | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
| March 1, 2016 | SD | HB 1182 | Increases Sales Tax | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Feb. 24, 2016 | SD | SB 159 | Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| Feb. 23, 2016 | SD | SB 72 | Prohibits Abortions After 22 Weeks | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Feb. 23, 2016 | SD | SB 171 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Feb. 16, 2016 | SD | HB 1008 | Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 13, 2015 | SD | SB 1 | Increases Speed Limit | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 9) |
| March 3, 2015 | SD | HB 1030 | Requires Motorists to Maintain Safe Distance When Passing Cyclists | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| Feb. 24, 2015 | SD | SB 189 | Establishes Tax Credit Scholarship Program | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 18, 2015 | SD | SB 177 | Establishes a Youth Minimum Wage | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | SD | HJR 1001 | Requests a Constitutional Convention | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (19 - 13) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | SD | SB 57 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 12, 2014 | SD | SB 98 | Authorizes Certain Municipalities to Increase Occupancy Tax | Veto Override Failed - Senate (16 - 19) |
| March 10, 2014 | SD | HB 1162 | Prohibits Sex-Selective Abortions | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |