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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
March 11, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 17, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD H Amdt 1215rb Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (42 - 25)
Feb. 7, 2006 SD H Amdt 1194rf Penalties for School Employees for Dispensing Contraceptives Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD H Amdt 1215fa Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - House (27 - 41)
March 3, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22)
March 1, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
March 2, 2007 SD SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
March 5, 2009 SD SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Bill Failed - House (17 - 49)
Feb. 25, 2008 SD SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
Feb. 4, 2008 SD HB 1261 Firearm Possession on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
Jan. 29, 2008 SD HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
Feb. 5, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Feb. 11, 2008 SD HB 1171 Hunting Mountain Lions Bill Failed - House (26 - 42)
Feb. 28, 2007 SD SB 95 Control of Technical Institutes Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1234 Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
Feb. 20, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 2, 2009 SD HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
Feb. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 10, 2006 SD HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Passed - House (51 - 14)
Jan. 24, 2006 SD SB 27 State Fair Appropriation Bill Passed - House (61 - 7)
March 3, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
March 21, 2006 SD SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
Feb. 6, 2006 SD HB 1184 Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
Feb. 7, 2006 SD HB 1217 Abstinence-Only Sex Education Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1194 Contraceptive Distribution at Public Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Feb. 4, 2009 SD HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
Feb. 7, 2007 SD HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
Feb. 5, 2007 SD HB 1296 Pre-Abortion Sonograms Bill Passed - House (43 - 24)
Feb. 13, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - House (47 - 23)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1293 Abortion Limitations Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
Feb. 7, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2007 SD SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
Feb. 20, 2007 SD HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 6, 2007 SD HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
March 29, 2010 SD SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Failed - House (33 - 34)
March 26, 2018 SD SB 76 Amends Voter Registration Veto Override Passed - House (56 - 7)
March 10, 2022 SD SB 53 Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19)
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 19, 2012 SD HB 1248 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40)
March 3, 2016 SD HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 29)
March 28, 2022 SD HB 1223 Authorizes Prenatal Care to Minors Without Parental Consent Veto Override Failed - House (23 - 47)
March 19, 2012 SD HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23)
March 13, 2015 SD SB 1 Increases Speed Limit Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 11)
March 9, 2022 SD SB 24 Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19)
March 6, 2024 SD SB 201 Amends State Regulations on Pipeline Transmission Infrastructure Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 31)
March 13, 2014 SD HB 1177 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 18)
March 29, 2010 SD HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
March 1, 2012 SD SB 141 Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse Motion Agreed - House (39 - 25)
March 5, 2024 SD HB 1092 increases the 911 Surcharge on Phone Lines from $1.25 to $2 Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 10)
Nov. 10, 2021 SD HB 1001 Amends State Legislative Districts Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 31)
March 7, 2023 SD HB 1022 Appropriates Funds for the Increased Costs of Building the New State Public Health Laboratory. Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 19)
March 6, 2024 SD HB 1186 Prohibits Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Easement Agreements from Exceeding 50 Years Conference Report Adopted - House (41 - 29)
Feb. 28, 2024 SD HB 1195 Authorizes Offenders Convicted of Vehicular Homicide to Pay Restitution to a Victim's Child Until Age 18 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 1)
March 8, 2022 SD HB 1033 Appropriates Funding for State Housing Infrastructure Loans and Grants for Improvement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 22)
March 5, 2024 SD HB 1244 Authorizes Individuals to Withdraw Their Signatures from Ballot-Question Petitions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 10)
March 8, 2022 SD HB 1174 Expands Regulations on Certain Car Parts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 3)
March 7, 2023 SD HB 1239 Prohibits a Ban of Fuel Gas Appliances for Consumer Use Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 3)
March 4, 2024 SD SB 1200 Increases Minimum Fee Required for an Application to Build New Power Transmission Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 4)
March 4, 2013 SD HB 1087 Authorizes School Sentinel Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19)
Feb. 28, 2023 SD HB 1090 Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7)
March 12, 2019 SD HB 1087 Requires Protections for All Forms of Free Speech at Public Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/11 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/17 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8)
2/09 H Amdt 1215rb Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment Amendment Tabled - House (42 - 25)
2/07 H Amdt 1194rf Penalties for School Employees for Dispensing Contraceptives Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 33)
2/09 H Amdt 1215fa Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened Amendment Rejected - House (27 - 41)
3/03 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22)
3/01 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
2/26 SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
3/02 SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
3/05 SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Bill Failed - House (17 - 49)
2/25 SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
2/04 HB 1261 Firearm Possession on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
1/29 HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
2/13 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/17 HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
2/05 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
2/14 HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
2/26 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/14 HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
2/11 HB 1171 Hunting Mountain Lions Bill Failed - House (26 - 42)
2/28 SB 95 Control of Technical Institutes Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
2/09 HB 1234 Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
2/20 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
2/13 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/02 HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/09 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/10 HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Passed - House (51 - 14)
1/24 SB 27 State Fair Appropriation Bill Passed - House (61 - 7)
3/03 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
2/17 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
3/21 SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
2/06 HB 1184 Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles Bill Failed - House (34 - 35)
2/07 HB 1217 Abstinence-Only Sex Education Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
2/09 HB 1194 Contraceptive Distribution at Public Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
2/04 HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
2/07 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
2/05 HB 1296 Pre-Abortion Sonograms Bill Passed - House (43 - 24)
2/13 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - House (47 - 23)
2/14 HB 1293 Abortion Limitations Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
2/07 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
2/28 SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
2/20 HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
2/06 HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24)
3/29 SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Failed - House (33 - 34)
3/26 SB 76 Amends Voter Registration Veto Override Passed - House (56 - 7)
3/10 SB 53 Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19)
3/29 HB 1217 Prohibits Athletes from Participating on Sports Teams that do not Match Their Birth Sex Veto Override Failed - House (45 - 24)
3/19 HB 1248 Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40)
3/03 HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 29)
3/28 HB 1223 Authorizes Prenatal Care to Minors Without Parental Consent Veto Override Failed - House (23 - 47)
3/19 HB 1228 Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23)
3/13 SB 1 Increases Speed Limit Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 11)
3/09 SB 24 Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19)
3/06 SB 201 Amends State Regulations on Pipeline Transmission Infrastructure Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 31)
3/13 HB 1177 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 18)
3/29 HB 1060 Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19)
3/01 SB 141 Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse Motion Agreed - House (39 - 25)
3/05 HB 1092 increases the 911 Surcharge on Phone Lines from $1.25 to $2 Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 10)
11/10 HB 1001 Amends State Legislative Districts Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 31)
3/07 HB 1022 Appropriates Funds for the Increased Costs of Building the New State Public Health Laboratory. Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 19)
3/06 HB 1186 Prohibits Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Easement Agreements from Exceeding 50 Years Conference Report Adopted - House (41 - 29)
2/28 HB 1195 Authorizes Offenders Convicted of Vehicular Homicide to Pay Restitution to a Victim's Child Until Age 18 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (69 - 1)
3/08 HB 1033 Appropriates Funding for State Housing Infrastructure Loans and Grants for Improvement Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 22)
3/05 HB 1244 Authorizes Individuals to Withdraw Their Signatures from Ballot-Question Petitions Concurrence Vote Passed - House (60 - 10)
3/08 HB 1174 Expands Regulations on Certain Car Parts Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 3)
3/07 HB 1239 Prohibits a Ban of Fuel Gas Appliances for Consumer Use Concurrence Vote Passed - House (67 - 3)
3/04 SB 1200 Increases Minimum Fee Required for an Application to Build New Power Transmission Facilities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (66 - 4)
3/04 HB 1087 Authorizes School Sentinel Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19)
2/28 HB 1090 Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7)
3/12 HB 1087 Requires Protections for All Forms of Free Speech at Public Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12)

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