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. 14, 2018 | SD | HB 1106 | Authorizes Hunting Preference Points to be Granted to Individuals age 10 Years or Older | Bill Passed - House (54 - 10) |
| Feb. 23, 2017 | SD | HB 1072 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without Permit | Bill Passed - House (37 - 30) |
| Feb. 23, 2016 | SD | HB 1206 | Authorizes the Use of Handguns to Hunt Game Birds | Bill Failed - House (23 - 44) |
| Feb. 10, 2015 | SD | HB 1116 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (44 - 23) |
| Feb. 5, 2015 | SD | HB 1096 | Requires Background Check for Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (52 - 15) |
| March 5, 2014 | SD | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| Feb. 20, 2014 | SD | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
| Feb. 6, 2014 | SD | HB 1185 | Authorizes Certain Nonresidents to Obtain Waterfowl Hunting Licenses | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
| March 4, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| Feb. 27, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | SD | SB 70 | Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| Jan. 31, 2013 | SD | SB 70 | Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| Jan. 29, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
| March 19, 2012 | SD | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40) |
| March 1, 2012 | SD | SB 141 | Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse | Motion Agreed - House (39 - 25) |
| 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. 13, 2012 | SD | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| 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) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | SD | HB 1171 | Fetus Protection Bill | Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4) |
| Feb. 17, 2011 | SD | HB 1171 | Fetus Protection Bill | Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4) |
| Feb. 7, 2011 | SD | HB 1152 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (32 - 36) |
| Feb. 17, 2010 | SD | HB 1178 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Failed - House (32 - 37) |
| March 9, 2009 | SD | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23) |
| March 4, 2009 | SD | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| Feb. 23, 2009 | SD | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (43 - 27) |
| Feb. 17, 2009 | SD | HB 1278 | Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (46 - 20) |
| Feb. 12, 2009 | SD | SB 156 | Expansion of Hate Crime Law | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21) |
| Feb. 12, 2009 | SD | SB 156 | Expansion of Hate Crime Law | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21) |
| Feb. 3, 2009 | SD | SB 79 | Primary Seat Belt Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Feb. 3, 2009 | SD | SB 83 | Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
| Feb. 26, 2008 | SD | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
| Feb. 13, 2008 | SD | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| Feb. 6, 2008 | SD | SB 164 | Right to Obtain Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22) |
| Feb. 4, 2008 | SD | HB 1261 | Firearm Possession on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (63 - 3) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | SD | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | SD | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| Feb. 6, 2007 | SD | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| Feb. 6, 2007 | SD | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| Feb. 23, 2006 | SD | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
| Feb. 23, 2006 | SD | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
| Feb. 22, 2006 | SD | S Amdt 1215cb | Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened | Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22) |
| Feb. 22, 2006 | SD | S Amdt 1215ca | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21) |
| Feb. 22, 2006 | SD | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| Feb. 9, 2006 | SD | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
| Feb. 6, 2006 | SD | HB 1184 | Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
| Jan. 23, 2006 | SD | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| Jan. 23, 2006 | SD | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2/14 | HB 1106 | Authorizes Hunting Preference Points to be Granted to Individuals age 10 Years or Older | Bill Passed - House (54 - 10) |
| 2/23 | HB 1072 | Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms Without Permit | Bill Passed - House (37 - 30) |
| 2/23 | HB 1206 | Authorizes the Use of Handguns to Hunt Game Birds | Bill Failed - House (23 - 44) |
| 2/10 | HB 1116 | Authorizes Concealed Carry Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (44 - 23) |
| 2/05 | HB 1096 | Requires Background Check for Concealed Carry Permit | Bill Passed - House (52 - 15) |
| 3/05 | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| 2/20 | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
| 2/06 | HB 1185 | Authorizes Certain Nonresidents to Obtain Waterfowl Hunting Licenses | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
| 3/04 | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19) |
| 2/27 | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 1/31 | SB 70 | Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| 1/31 | SB 70 | Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
| 1/29 | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
| 3/19 | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40) |
| 3/01 | SB 141 | Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse | Motion Agreed - House (39 - 25) |
| 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) |
| 2/13 | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
| 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) |
| 2/17 | HB 1171 | Fetus Protection Bill | Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4) |
| 2/17 | HB 1171 | Fetus Protection Bill | Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4) |
| 2/07 | HB 1152 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (32 - 36) |
| 2/17 | HB 1178 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Failed - House (32 - 37) |
| 3/09 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23) |
| 3/04 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
| 2/23 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (43 - 27) |
| 2/17 | HB 1278 | Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (46 - 20) |
| 2/12 | SB 156 | Expansion of Hate Crime Law | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21) |
| 2/12 | SB 156 | Expansion of Hate Crime Law | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21) |
| 2/03 | SB 79 | Primary Seat Belt Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| 2/03 | SB 83 | Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
| 2/26 | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
| 2/13 | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| 2/06 | SB 164 | Right to Obtain Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22) |
| 2/04 | HB 1261 | Firearm Possession on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (63 - 3) |
| 2/14 | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 2/14 | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| 2/14 | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| 2/14 | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| 2/07 | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| 2/07 | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
| 2/06 | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| 2/06 | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
| 2/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
| 2/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
| 2/22 | S Amdt 1215cb | Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened | Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22) |
| 2/22 | S Amdt 1215ca | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21) |
| 2/22 | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
| 2/09 | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
| 2/06 | HB 1184 | Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
| 1/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| 1/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |