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. 23, 2022 | SD | HB 1228 | Expands the Ability for Patients to Seek Investigational Drugs, Biological Products, or Devices | Bill Passed - House (57 - 13) |
| Feb. 15, 2022 | SD | HB 1012 | Prohibits Teaching "Divisive" Topics at Public Universities | Bill Passed - House (54 - 14) |
| Feb. 1, 2022 | SD | HB 1005 | Requires Students to Use School Facilities for Gender Assigned at Birth | Bill Passed - House (38 - 19) |
| Jan. 26, 2022 | SD | SB 72 | Prohibits School, Organizational, or Sports Hazing | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
| March 29, 2021 | SD | HB 1217 | Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex | Veto Override Failed - House (45 - 24) |
| March 8, 2021 | SD | HB 1217 | Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| March 30, 2020 | SD | HB 1295 | Amends the List of Contagious Diseases to Include COVID-19 | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 12) |
| March 30, 2020 | SD | SB 191 | Authorizes Emergency Powers for Counties During a Public Health Crisis in Order to Declare an Emergency | Bill Failed - House (37 - 29) |
| March 30, 2020 | SD | SB 191 | Authorizes Emergency Powers for Counties During a Public Health Crisis in Order to Declare an Emergency | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5) |
| March 3, 2020 | SD | SJR 501 | Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events | Bill Passed - House (36 - 27) |
| Feb. 24, 2020 | SD | HB 1175 | Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services | Bill Passed - House (58 - 10) |
| Feb. 11, 2020 | SD | SJR 501 | Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10) |
| Feb. 6, 2020 | SD | HB 1096 | Prohibits Commercial Surrogacy and Establishes a Committee to Study the Issue | Bill Passed - House (46 - 20) |
| Jan. 29, 2020 | SD | HB 1057 | Prohibits Gender Reassignment Surgeries on Children Under 16 | Bill Passed - House (46 - 23) |
| March 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1191 | Authorizes the Cultivation of Industrial Hemp | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| Feb. 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1108 | Prohibits Gender Dysphoria Sex Education from Kindergarten through Grade 7 | Bill Passed - House (39 - 30) |
| March 13, 2015 | SD | SB 1 | Increases Speed Limit | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 9) |
| March 13, 2015 | SD | SB 1 | Increases Speed Limit | Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 11) |
| March 10, 2015 | SD | SB 1 | Increases Speed Limit | Bill Passed - House (54 - 14) |
| March 3, 2015 | SD | HB 1030 | Requires Motorists to Maintain Safe Distance When Passing Cyclists | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 7) |
| Feb. 17, 2015 | SD | HB 1030 | Requires Motorists to Maintain Safe Distance When Passing Cyclists | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
| 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 - House (52 - 18) |
| March 13, 2014 | SD | HB 1177 | Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7) |
| March 10, 2014 | SD | SB 180 | Increases Maximum Number of Video Lottery Machines Authorized in a Licensed Establishment | Bill Failed - House (26 - 44) |
| March 5, 2014 | SD | HJR 1001 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Amendment Adopted - Senate (25 - 10) |
| 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. 19, 2014 | SD | HB 1097 | Amends Criteria for Classifying Property as Agricultural Land | Bill Passed - House (37 - 33) |
| Feb. 19, 2014 | SD | HB 1097 | Amends Criteria for Classifying Property as Agricultural Land | Bill Passed - House (37 - 33) |
| Feb. 19, 2014 | SD | SB 180 | Increases Maximum Number of Video Lottery Machines Authorized in a Licensed Establishment | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| Feb. 10, 2014 | SD | HB 1158 | Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - House (46 - 22) |
| Jan. 30, 2014 | SD | HJR 1001 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 30) |
| March 25, 2013 | SD | SB 115 | Increases Commercial Fertilizer Inspection Fee | Veto Override Failed - Senate (22 - 13) |
| March 6, 2013 | SD | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 10) |
| March 4, 2013 | SD | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - House (43 - 23) |
| 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. 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 107 | Limits Drivers With Restricted Permits To 1 Passenger | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 6, 2013 | SD | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
| March 19, 2012 | SD | HB 1228 | Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects | Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23) |
| March 1, 2012 | SD | HB 1228 | Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 16) |
| Feb. 28, 2012 | SD | HB 1228 | Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
| 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) |
| 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 | 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 9, 2010 | SD | HB 1231 | Prescription Drug Registry | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 5) |
| March 8, 2010 | SD | HB 1240 | Need-Based Education Grant Fund | Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11) |
| 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 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. 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) |
| 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) |
| 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. 18, 2009 | SD | HB 1171 | Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12) |
| Feb. 17, 2009 | SD | SB 106 | School Funding Formula Revision | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
| Feb. 9, 2009 | SD | SJR 1 | Authorization of Legal Gaming due to Gaming in Bordering States | Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Feb. 4, 2009 | SD | HB 1171 | Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements | Bill Passed - House (36 - 34) |
| Feb. 3, 2009 | SD | SB 83 | Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
| Feb. 3, 2009 | SD | SB 79 | Primary Seat Belt Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
| Feb. 27, 2008 | SD | HB 1085 | Constructing Science Facilities at Universities | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
| Feb. 26, 2008 | SD | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
| Feb. 25, 2008 | SD | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - House (63 - 6) |
| Feb. 20, 2008 | SD | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 32) |
| Feb. 14, 2008 | SD | HB 1124 | Teacher Compensation and Performance | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
| Feb. 13, 2008 | SD | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
| Feb. 13, 2008 | SD | HB 1085 | Constructing Science Facilities at Universities | Bill Passed - House (61 - 6) |
| 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) |
| Jan. 31, 2008 | SD | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8) |
| Jan. 29, 2008 | SD | HB 1193 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 31) |
| Jan. 29, 2008 | SD | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12) |
| Jan. 22, 2008 | SD | SB 26 | State Regulation of Preschools | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
| March 1, 2007 | SD | HB 1082 | School District Consolidation | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
| Feb. 28, 2007 | SD | SB 199 | Mandatory School Attendance | Bill Passed - House (46 - 23) |
| Feb. 28, 2007 | SD | SB 95 | Control of Technical Institutes | Bill Passed - House (50 - 19) |
| Feb. 26, 2007 | SD | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Feb. 26, 2007 | SD | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15) |
| Feb. 20, 2007 | SD | HB 1082 | School District Consolidation | Bill Passed - House (37 - 33) |
| Feb. 20, 2007 | SD | SB 208 | Tanning Restrictions | Bill Failed - Senate (10 - 24) |
| Feb. 15, 2007 | SD | SB 157 | Teacher Compensation | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5) |
| Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | SB 196 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17) |
| Feb. 12, 2007 | SD | SB 199 | Mandatory School Attendance | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | SD | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| Feb. 7, 2007 | SD | HB 1139 | Tobacco Tax Funds | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
| Jan. 24, 2007 | SD | SB 74 | Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10) |
| 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) |