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. 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. 10, 2014 | SD | HB 1158 | Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - House (46 - 22) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | SD | HB 1185 | Authorizes Certain Nonresidents to Obtain Waterfowl Hunting Licenses | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | SD | HB 1123 | Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels | Bill Passed - House (36 - 33) |
Feb. 5, 2014 | SD | HJR 1002 | Increases Legislative Term Limit Length | Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 16) |
Jan. 30, 2014 | SD | HJR 1001 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 30) |
Jan. 29, 2014 | SD | HCR 1008 | Prohibits Expansion of Common Core State Standards | Joint Resolution Failed - House (31 - 35) |
March 4, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19) |
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. 20, 2013 | SD | HB 1237 | Prohibits Weekends and Holidays from Being Considered Part of the 72-Hour Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (56 - 13) |
Feb. 20, 2013 | SD | HB 1142 | Authorizes Patients to Use a Health Care Provider Outside of Their Insurance Network | Bill Passed - House (39 - 30) |
Jan. 31, 2013 | SD | SB 70 | Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
Jan. 30, 2013 | SD | HB 1113 | Requires Certain State Electronic Exchanges to Be Made Public | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
Jan. 29, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
Jan. 28, 2013 | SD | HB 1108 | Exempts Certain Advisory Bodies From Providing Telephone or Internet Access | Bill Passed - House (63 - 5) |
March 19, 2012 | SD | SB 157 | Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards | Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24) |
March 19, 2012 | SD | HB 1228 | Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects | Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23) |
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) |
March 1, 2012 | SD | HB 1228 | Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 16) |
Feb. 29, 2012 | SD | HB 1234 | Eliminates Teacher Tenure | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33) |
Feb. 29, 2012 | SD | HB 1206 | Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6) |
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. 14, 2012 | SD | HB 1253 | Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
Feb. 13, 2012 | SD | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
Feb. 13, 2012 | SD | HB 1234 | Eliminates Teacher Tenure | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
Jan. 25, 2012 | SD | HCR 1004 | Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools | Resolution Passed - House (55 - 13) |
Oct. 24, 2011 | SD | HB 1001 | State Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
March 8, 2011 | SD | SB 156 | Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Failed - House (33 - 35) |
Feb. 22, 2011 | SD | HB 1217 | Requiring Counseling and a Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
Feb. 17, 2011 | SD | HB 1171 | Fetus Protection Bill | Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4) |
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) |
Feb. 7, 2011 | SD | HB 1152 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (32 - 36) |
March 30, 2010 | SD | SB 196 | 2010-2011 Budget | Bill Passed - House (44 - 25) |
March 29, 2010 | SD | SB 121 | Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs | Veto Override Failed - House (33 - 34) |
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 8, 2010 | SD | SB 18 | Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees | Bill Passed - House (55 - 13) |
March 8, 2010 | SD | SB 169 | Insurance Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (39 - 28) |
March 3, 2010 | SD | SB 89 | Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
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. 23, 2010 | SD | HB 1083 | Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake | Bill Failed - House (45 - 23) |
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. 10, 2010 | SD | HB 1060 | Agriculture and Business Facility Tax Refund Reductions | Bill Passed - House (48 - 19) |
March 13, 2009 | SD | HB 1300 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
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 5, 2009 | SD | SJR 3 | Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits | Bill Failed - House (17 - 49) |
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. 4, 2009 | SD | HB 1171 | Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements | Bill Passed - House (36 - 34) |
Feb. 2, 2009 | SD | HB 1004 | Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 32) |
March 17, 2008 | SD | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8) |
Feb. 26, 2008 | SD | SB 126 | Repealing Liquor License Cap | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
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 1151 | Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (47 - 21) |
Feb. 14, 2008 | SD | HB 1124 | Teacher Compensation and Performance | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
Feb. 13, 2008 | SD | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
Feb. 13, 2008 | SD | HB 1085 | Constructing Science Facilities at Universities | Bill Passed - House (61 - 6) |
Feb. 11, 2008 | SD | HB 1171 | Hunting Mountain Lions | Bill Failed - House (26 - 42) |
Feb. 5, 2008 | SD | HB 1250 | Legislative Pay Raise | Bill Passed - House (54 - 14) |
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) |
March 3, 2007 | SD | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
2/20 | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - House (53 - 17) |
2/19 | HB 1097 | Amends Criteria for Classifying Property as Agricultural Land | Bill Passed - House (37 - 33) |
2/10 | HB 1158 | Establishes a Prenatal Care Program for Non-Citizen Individuals | Bill Passed - House (46 - 22) |
2/06 | HB 1185 | Authorizes Certain Nonresidents to Obtain Waterfowl Hunting Licenses | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
2/06 | HB 1123 | Extends the Alcoholic Beverage Service Hours of Certain Hotels | Bill Passed - House (36 - 33) |
2/05 | HJR 1002 | Increases Legislative Term Limit Length | Joint Resolution Passed - House (54 - 16) |
1/30 | HJR 1001 | Authorizes Additional Types of Games in Deadwood City Casinos | Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 30) |
1/29 | HCR 1008 | Prohibits Expansion of Common Core State Standards | Joint Resolution Failed - House (31 - 35) |
3/04 | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19) |
3/04 | SB 106 | Prohibits Minors from Using a Cell Phone While Driving | Bill Passed - House (43 - 23) |
2/22 | HB 1214 | Authorizes Prenatal Care for Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Passed - House (39 - 28) |
2/21 | SB 52 | Authorizes Gamblers to Bet $0.01 on Lottery Games | Bill Passed - House (39 - 28) |
2/20 | HB 1237 | Prohibits Weekends and Holidays from Being Considered Part of the 72-Hour Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (56 - 13) |
2/20 | HB 1142 | Authorizes Patients to Use a Health Care Provider Outside of Their Insurance Network | Bill Passed - House (39 - 30) |
1/31 | SB 70 | Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
1/30 | HB 1113 | Requires Certain State Electronic Exchanges to Be Made Public | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
1/29 | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
1/28 | HB 1108 | Exempts Certain Advisory Bodies From Providing Telephone or Internet Access | Bill Passed - House (63 - 5) |
3/19 | SB 157 | Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards | Veto Override Failed - House (43 - 24) |
3/19 | HB 1228 | Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects | Veto Override Failed - House (44 - 23) |
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) |
3/01 | HB 1228 | Tax Credits for Alternative Energy Projects | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 16) |
2/29 | HB 1234 | Eliminates Teacher Tenure | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (36 - 33) |
2/29 | HB 1206 | Repeals the South Dakota Sales Tax on Food Refund Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 6) |
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) |
2/14 | HB 1253 | Prohibits State Enforcement of Religious Codes | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
2/13 | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
2/13 | HB 1234 | Eliminates Teacher Tenure | Bill Passed - House (41 - 28) |
1/25 | HCR 1004 | Urging Academic Study of the Bible in Public Schools | Resolution Passed - House (55 - 13) |
10/24 | HB 1001 | State Legislative Redistricting | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |
3/08 | SB 156 | Prohibits Employment of Undocumented Immigrants | Bill Failed - House (33 - 35) |
2/22 | HB 1217 | Requiring Counseling and a Waiting Period Prior to an Abortion | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
2/17 | HB 1171 | Fetus Protection Bill | Bill Tabled - House (61 - 4) |
2/09 | HB 1061 | Regulation of Registered Midwives | Bill Passed - House (37 - 32) |
2/08 | HB 1061 | Regulation of Registered Midwives | Bill Failed - House (36 - 31) |
2/07 | HB 1152 | Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients | Bill Failed - House (32 - 36) |
3/30 | SB 196 | 2010-2011 Budget | Bill Passed - House (44 - 25) |
3/29 | SB 121 | Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs | Veto Override Failed - House (33 - 34) |
3/29 | HB 1060 | Wind Energy Facility Tax Refunds | Veto Override Passed - House (49 - 19) |
3/10 | HB 1231 | Prescription Drug Registry | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (56 - 9) |
3/08 | SB 18 | Restrictions on Retirement for Rehired Public Employees | Bill Passed - House (55 - 13) |
3/08 | SB 169 | Insurance Law Amendments | Bill Passed - House (39 - 28) |
3/03 | SB 89 | Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation | Bill Passed - House (49 - 19) |
3/01 | HCR 1009 | Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33) |
3/01 | SB 63 | Pilot Charter School | Bill Passed - House (49 - 20) |
2/23 | HB 1083 | Appropriations for the Sanford Lab at Homestake | Bill Failed - House (45 - 23) |
2/23 | HB 1240 | Need-Based Education Grant Fund | Bill Passed - House (64 - 4) |
2/19 | HB 1107 | Driver's License Renewal by Mail | Bill Failed - House (33 - 30) |
2/17 | HCR 1009 | Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum | Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30) |
2/17 | HB 1178 | Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving | Bill Failed - House (32 - 37) |
2/10 | HB 1060 | Agriculture and Business Facility Tax Refund Reductions | Bill Passed - House (48 - 19) |
3/13 | HB 1300 | 2009-2010 Budget | Bill Passed - House (42 - 28) |
3/11 | HB 1197 | Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction | Veto Override Passed - House (60 - 10) |
3/09 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23) |
3/05 | SJR 3 | Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits | Bill Failed - House (17 - 49) |
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) |
2/04 | HB 1171 | Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements | Bill Passed - House (36 - 34) |
2/02 | HB 1004 | Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions | Bill Passed - House (37 - 32) |
3/17 | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Veto Override Passed - House (61 - 8) |
2/26 | SB 126 | Repealing Liquor License Cap | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
2/26 | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
2/25 | SB 173 | Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms | Bill Passed - House (63 - 6) |
2/20 | SB 88 | Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion | Bill Passed - House (38 - 32) |
2/14 | HB 1151 | Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (47 - 21) |
2/14 | HB 1124 | Teacher Compensation and Performance | Bill Passed - House (39 - 29) |
2/13 | HB 1233 | Government Spending Database | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
2/13 | HB 1085 | Constructing Science Facilities at Universities | Bill Passed - House (61 - 6) |
2/11 | HB 1171 | Hunting Mountain Lions | Bill Failed - House (26 - 42) |
2/05 | HB 1250 | Legislative Pay Raise | Bill Passed - House (54 - 14) |
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) |
3/03 | HB 1048 | Campaign Contribution Reform | Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22) |