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. 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 | S Amdt 1215cb | Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened | Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22) |
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. 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) |
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. 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. 14, 2007 | SD | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
Feb. 14, 2007 | SD | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
Feb. 4, 2008 | SD | HB 1261 | Firearm Possession on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (63 - 3) |
Feb. 13, 2008 | SD | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
Feb. 26, 2008 | SD | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
Feb. 6, 2008 | SD | SB 164 | Right to Obtain Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22) |
Feb. 3, 2009 | SD | SB 83 | Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
Feb. 7, 2007 | SD | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
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) |
Feb. 22, 2006 | SD | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
Feb. 23, 2009 | SD | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (43 - 27) |
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. 17, 2009 | SD | HB 1278 | Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (46 - 20) |
Feb. 3, 2009 | SD | SB 79 | Primary Seat Belt Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
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) |
March 10, 2022 | SD | SB 53 | Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19) |
March 27, 2023 | SD | SB 129 | Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 19, 2012 | SD | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40) |
March 9, 2022 | SD | SB 24 | Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19) |
March 10, 2022 | SD | SB 53 | Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 2) |
March 28, 2022 | SD | SB 151 | Requires Automatic Expungement of Marijuana Convictions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (17 - 17) |
March 1, 2012 | SD | SB 141 | Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse | Motion Agreed - House (39 - 25) |
March 9, 2022 | SD | SB 24 | Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 11) |
March 10, 2020 | SD | SB 151 | Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 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 8, 2022 | SD | SB 144 | Establishes The Incarceration Construction Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
March 7, 2023 | SD | SB 1 | Expands Definition of Who Can Access Medical Marijuana Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
March 6, 2023 | SD | SB 4 | Amends Court Authority to Commit a Juvenile Habitual Offender to the Department of Corrections | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
March 12, 2019 | SD | HB 1087 | Requires Protections for All Forms of Free Speech at Public Universities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12) |
March 7, 2018 | SD | HB 1083 | Amends Concealed Carry Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3) |
March 6, 2023 | SD | SB 91 | Increases Criminal Penalties for Rape | Bill Passed - House (66 - 2) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
March 7, 2022 | SD | SB 32 | Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates | Bill Failed - House (40 - 29) |
March 7, 2022 | SD | SB 144 | Establishes The Incarceration Construction Fund | Bill Passed - House (66 - 3) |
March 6, 2023 | SD | SB 1 | Expands Definition of Who Can Access Medical Marijuana Program | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
Feb. 24, 2023 | SD | HB 1090 | Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 8) |
Feb. 28, 2023 | SD | SB 4 | Amends Court Authority to Commit a Juvenile Habitual Offender to the Department of Corrections | Bill Passed - House (62 - 7) |
Jan. 29, 2024 | SD | SB 54 | Increases Criteria to Qualify for Resident Hunting and Fishing Licenses | Bill Passed - House (37 - 29) |
Oct. 5, 2020 | SD | SCR 601 | Appropriates $597 Million in Federal Funds for COVID-19 Relief | Joint Resolution Passed - House (57 - 13) |
March 4, 2021 | SD | HCR 6013 | Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20) |
Feb. 28, 2023 | SD | SB 129 | Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers | Bill Passed - House (40 - 30) |
March 4, 2021 | SD | HCR 6013 | Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 20) |
March 4, 2019 | SD | SB 115 | Authorizes Constitutional Carry Within the Capital | Bill Passed - House (44 - 19) |
Jan. 31, 2013 | SD | SB 70 | Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
Feb. 5, 2024 | SD | SB 57 | Prohibits Professional Agencies from Denying Convicted Felons from Obtaining Trade Licenses | Bill Passed - House (62 - 3) |
March 5, 2020 | SD | HB 1117 | Repeals and Revises Certain Provisions Regarding Riots | Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8) |
March 3, 2022 | SD | SB 151 | Requires Automatic Expungement of Marijuana Convictions | Bill Passed - House (38 - 31) |
Jan. 29, 2019 | SD | SB 47 | Authorizes Concealed Carry to Individuals Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (47 - 23) |
Feb. 25, 2022 | SD | SB 20 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana as a Defense Against Prosecution for Possession and Use | Bill Failed - House (32 - 34) |
Feb. 28, 2012 | SD | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11) |
Feb. 8, 2021 | SD | HB 1046 | Establishes a COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses and Healthcare Providers | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 3) |
Jan. 31, 2013 | SD | SB 70 | Establishes Alternative Court Programs for Nonviolent Offenders | Bill Passed - House (63 - 7) |
March 5, 2014 | SD | HB 1229 | Requires Certain Individuals to be Reported to the National Background Check System | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 9) |
March 9, 2020 | SD | SB 96 | Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits | Bill Passed - House (49 - 17) |
Feb. 27, 2023 | SD | HB 1135 | Establishes Transparency in the Pricing of Prescription Drugs | Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0) |
March 6, 2023 | SD | SB 207 | Establishes Penalties for Appropriating Public Funds to Influence an Election Result | Bill Passed - House (62 - 6) |
Feb. 28, 2012 | SD | H Amdt 141 | Defining Domestic Abuse as Abuse Witihin an Opposite-Sex Relationship | Amendment Adopted - House (35 - 33) |
Feb. 23, 2022 | SD | SB 32 | Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates | Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
Feb. 28, 2012 | SD | SB 141 | Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse | Bill Passed - House (46 - 22) |
Feb. 8, 2022 | SD | SB 20 | Authorizes Medical Marijuana as a Defense Against Prosecution for Possession and Use | Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10) |
Feb. 8, 2024 | SD | HB 1057 | Establishes a Statewide Public Defender Office | Bill Passed - House (60 - 4) |
Feb. 13, 2023 | SD | HB 1135 | Establishes Transparency in the Pricing of Prescription Drugs | Bill Passed - House (62 - 5) |
Feb. 8, 2024 | SD | HB 1203 | Requires Entities Using Eminent Domain to Cover Certain Legal Costs for Landowners | Bill Passed - House (61 - 3) |
Feb. 27, 2023 | SD | HB 1017 | Authorizes Construction of New Prison Facilities | Bill Passed - House (53 - 16) |
Feb. 23, 2016 | SD | HB 1206 | Authorizes the Use of Handguns to Hunt Game Birds | Bill Failed - House (23 - 44) |
Jan. 22, 2019 | SD | SB 47 | Authorizes Concealed Carry to Individuals Without a Permit | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11) |
Feb. 6, 2014 | SD | HB 1185 | Authorizes Certain Nonresidents to Obtain Waterfowl Hunting Licenses | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
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. 20, 2019 | SD | SB 115 | Authorizes Constitutional Carry Within the Capital | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
March 7, 2019 | SD | SB 189 | Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
March 7, 2019 | SD | SB 189 | Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
March 7, 2019 | SD | SB 189 | Establishes "Riot Boosting" as a Civil Offense | Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 4) |
Feb. 25, 2020 | SD | SB 6 | Amends Conditions for Presumptive Probation | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
Feb. 18, 2020 | SD | HB 1117 | Repeals and Revises Certain Provisions Regarding Riots | Bill Passed - House (45 - 25) |
Feb. 20, 2020 | SD | HB 1133 | Establishes a Rebuttable Presumption in Favor of Joint Custody of a Minor | Bill Passed - House (41 - 25) |
Feb. 26, 2020 | SD | SB 96 | Repeals the Lifetime Ban on Drug Felons Receiving TANF Benefits | Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
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 | HB 1046 | Establishes a COVID-19 Liability Shield for Businesses and Healthcare Providers | Bill Passed - House (60 - 10) |
Feb. 25, 2021 | SD | HB 1075 | Repeals Any Federal or State Court Action Reducing Firearm or Ammunition Rights | Bill Passed - House (59 - 7) |
March 2, 2021 | SD | HCR 6013 | Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach | Bill Passed - House (62 - 7) |
March 2, 2021 | SD | HCR 6013 | Specifies that the 2nd Amendment is Protected from Federal Overreach | Bill Passed - House (62 - 7) |
Jan. 26, 2022 | SD | SB 72 | Prohibits School, Organizational, or Sports Hazing | Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 16) |
Jan. 23, 2024 | SD | SB 57 | Prohibits Professional Agencies from Denying Convicted Felons from Obtaining Trade Licenses | Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15) |
Jan. 29, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - House (42 - 27) |
Feb. 13, 2012 | SD | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Bill Passed - House (50 - 18) |