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
March 3, 2020 SD SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - House (36 - 27)
Feb. 11, 2020 SD SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 3, 2020 SD SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
Feb. 25, 2020 SD SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 10, 2020 SD SB 70 Authorizes Use of Spanish for Driver License Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 9, 2020 SD SB 70 Authorizes Use of Spanish for Driver License Testing Bill Passed - House (42 - 24)
March 5, 2020 SD SB 128 Authorizes Campaign Contributions from Indian Tribal Entities Bill Passed - House (47 - 20)
March 4, 2020 SD HB 1189 Appropriates Funds to Expand Rural Access to Broadband Services Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2020 SD HB 1175 Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
March 10, 2020 SD SB 151 Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
March 30, 2020 SD SB 192 Establishes the Small Business Economic Disaster Relief Subfund Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
March 5, 2020 SD SB 186 Establishes Paid Family Leave Policies for State Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
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 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 HB 1298 Amends the Date of the State Primary Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 5)
Feb. 20, 2020 SD HB 1133 Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
March 3, 2020 SD SB 146 Authorizes Tribal Identification Cards for Commerce Related Purposes Bill Passed - House (46 - 17)
Feb. 21, 2020 SD HB 1081 Exempts from Regulations Certain Uses of Alcohol by Postsecondary Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 12)
March 9, 2020 SD SB 96 Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits Bill Passed - House (49 - 17)
Feb. 26, 2020 SD SB 96 Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
Jan. 28, 2021 SD HB 1076 Requires Birth Certificates Reflect the Biological Sex at Birth Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
Oct. 5, 2020 SD SCR 601 Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 13)
Oct. 5, 2020 SD SCR 601 Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
Jan. 26, 2021 SD SB 24 Authorizes Amending Voter Registration Information Online Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 8, 2021 SD HB 1046 Establishes a COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses and Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
Jan. 26, 2021 SD HB 1046 Establishes a COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses and Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2021 SD HB 1130 Requires Providing Information Before Performing an Abortion Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
Feb. 16, 2021 SD HB 1051 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
Jan. 28, 2021 SD HB 1051 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
Feb. 25, 2021 SD HB 1075 Repeals Any Federal or State Court Action Reducing Firearm or Ammunition Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 7)
Feb. 25, 2021 SD HB 1100 Establishes a Task Force to Legalize Medical Marijuana by 2022 Bill Passed - House (40 - 28)
March 4, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
March 2, 2021 SD HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
Feb. 25, 2021 SD HB 1095 Authorizes Communities to Deem if Retail Licenses are Necessary for Recreational Cannabis Usage Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
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)
Feb. 25, 2021 SD HB 1125 Requires All Ballots to be Counted Before the Counting Board Leaves Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 9, 2021 SD HB 1125 Requires All Ballots to be Counted Before the Counting Board Leaves Bill Passed - House (58 - 12)
March 8, 2021 SD SB 34 Appropriates Funds to Expand Rural Access to Broadband Services Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
Nov. 10, 2021 SD HB 1001 Amends State Legislative Districts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 2)
Nov. 10, 2021 SD HB 1001 Amends State Legislative Districts Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 31)
Feb. 1, 2022 SD SB 46 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
Jan. 19, 2022 SD SB 46 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Jan. 27, 2022 SD HB 1058 Prohibits the Sale of Edible Cannabis Products Bill Failed - House (21 - 47)
Jan. 26, 2022 SD SB 72 Prohibits School, Organizational, or Sports Hazing Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
March 3, 2022 SD SB 26 Amends the Definition for a Medical Cannabis Practitioner Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Jan. 25, 2022 SD SB 26 Amends the Definition for a Medical Cannabis Practitioner Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 7, 2022 SD HB 1228 Expands the Ability for Patients to Seek Investigational Drugs, Biological Products, or Devices Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 25)
Feb. 23, 2022 SD HB 1228 Expands the Ability for Patients to Seek Investigational Drugs, Biological Products, or Devices Bill Passed - House (57 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/03 SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - House (36 - 27)
2/11 SJR 501 Amends Constitution by Authorizing Wagering on Sporting Events Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/03 SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - House (47 - 19)
2/25 SB 147 Prohibits Collective Bargaining by Certain University Employees Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/10 SB 70 Authorizes Use of Spanish for Driver License Testing Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/09 SB 70 Authorizes Use of Spanish for Driver License Testing Bill Passed - House (42 - 24)
3/05 SB 128 Authorizes Campaign Contributions from Indian Tribal Entities Bill Passed - House (47 - 20)
3/04 HB 1189 Appropriates Funds to Expand Rural Access to Broadband Services Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/24 HB 1175 Defines Dyslexia for Special Education and Other Related Services Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
3/10 SB 151 Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
3/30 SB 192 Establishes the Small Business Economic Disaster Relief Subfund Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
3/05 SB 186 Establishes Paid Family Leave Policies for State Employees Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
3/30 SB 191 Authorizes Emergency Powers for Counties During a Public Health Crisis in Order to Declare an Emergency Bill Failed - House (37 - 29)
3/30 SB 191 Authorizes Emergency Powers for Counties During a Public Health Crisis in Order to Declare an Emergency Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
3/30 HB 1295 Amends the List of Contagious Diseases to Include COVID-19 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 12)
3/30 HB 1298 Amends the Date of the State Primary Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 5)
2/20 HB 1133 Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor Bill Passed - House (41 - 25)
3/03 SB 146 Authorizes Tribal Identification Cards for Commerce Related Purposes Bill Passed - House (46 - 17)
2/21 HB 1081 Exempts from Regulations Certain Uses of Alcohol by Postsecondary Institutions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 12)
3/09 SB 96 Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits Bill Passed - House (49 - 17)
2/26 SB 96 Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6)
1/28 HB 1076 Requires Birth Certificates Reflect the Biological Sex at Birth Bill Passed - House (39 - 31)
10/05 SCR 601 Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 13)
10/05 SCR 601 Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (25 - 7)
1/26 SB 24 Authorizes Amending Voter Registration Information Online Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/08 HB 1046 Establishes a COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses and Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3)
1/26 HB 1046 Establishes a COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses and Healthcare Providers Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
2/22 HB 1130 Requires Providing Information Before Performing an Abortion Bill Passed - House (55 - 13)
2/16 HB 1051 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
1/28 HB 1051 Establishes Requirements for Abortions Resulting in Premature Birth Bill Passed - House (59 - 8)
2/25 HB 1075 Repeals Any Federal or State Court Action Reducing Firearm or Ammunition Rights Bill Passed - House (59 - 7)
2/25 HB 1100 Establishes a Task Force to Legalize Medical Marijuana by 2022 Bill Passed - House (40 - 28)
3/04 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20)
3/02 HCR 6013 Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach Bill Passed - House (62 - 7)
2/25 HB 1095 Authorizes Communities to Deem if Retail Licenses are Necessary for Recreational Cannabis Usage Bill Passed - House (52 - 14)
3/29 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (45 - 24)
3/08 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/25 HB 1125 Requires All Ballots to be Counted Before the Counting Board Leaves Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
2/09 HB 1125 Requires All Ballots to be Counted Before the Counting Board Leaves Bill Passed - House (58 - 12)
3/08 SB 34 Appropriates Funds to Expand Rural Access to Broadband Services Bill Passed - House (52 - 16)
11/10 HB 1001 Amends State Legislative Districts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 2)
11/10 HB 1001 Amends State Legislative Districts Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 31)
2/01 SB 46 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (50 - 17)
1/19 SB 46 Requires Transgender Student Athletes Play Against Those of Their Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
1/27 HB 1058 Prohibits the Sale of Edible Cannabis Products Bill Failed - House (21 - 47)
1/26 SB 72 Prohibits School, Organizational, or Sports Hazing Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16)
3/03 SB 26 Amends the Definition for a Medical Cannabis Practitioner Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
1/25 SB 26 Amends the Definition for a Medical Cannabis Practitioner Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/07 HB 1228 Expands the Ability for Patients to Seek Investigational Drugs, Biological Products, or Devices Bill Failed - Senate (6 - 25)
2/23 HB 1228 Expands the Ability for Patients to Seek Investigational Drugs, Biological Products, or Devices Bill Passed - House (57 - 13)

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