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 1215cb | Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened | Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22) |
Feb. 22, 2006 | SD | S Amdt 1215ca | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21) |
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. 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. 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) |
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) |
March 10, 2022 | SD | SB 53 | Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19) |
March 19, 2012 | SD | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40) |
March 27, 2023 | SD | SB 129 | Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15) |
March 10, 2022 | SD | SB 53 | Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 2) |
March 9, 2022 | SD | SB 24 | Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19) |
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 4, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19) |
Feb. 28, 2024 | SD | SB 43 | Establishes Procedures for the Imposition of Fines and Probation Against Medical Cannabis Establishments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 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 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) |
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 10, 2020 | SD | SB 151 | Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
March 8, 2022 | SD | SB 144 | Establishes The Incarceration Construction Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
Feb. 28, 2023 | SD | HB 1090 | Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7) |
March 7, 2023 | SD | SB 1 | Expands Definition of Who Can Access Medical Marijuana Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
March 7, 2018 | SD | HB 1083 | Amends Concealed Carry Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3) |
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) |
March 6, 2023 | SD | SB 1 | Expands Definition of Who Can Access Medical Marijuana Program | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
Feb. 27, 2013 | SD | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
Date | No. | Title | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|
2/22 | S Amdt 1215cb | Exception to Abortion Ban in Cases Where the Health of the Woman is Seriously Threatened | Amendment Rejected - Senate (13 - 22) |
2/22 | S Amdt 1215ca | Exceptions to Abortion Ban in Cases of Rape or Incest Amendment | Amendment Rejected - Senate (14 - 21) |
3/09 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23) |
3/04 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |
2/09 | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - House (47 - 22) |
2/06 | HB 1184 | Medical Treatments that Violate Medical Workers Principles | Bill Failed - House (34 - 35) |
2/14 | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
2/14 | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3) |
2/07 | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
2/07 | HB 1160 | Physician Presence at Executions | Bill Passed - House (56 - 14) |
2/06 | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
2/06 | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - House (51 - 19) |
2/14 | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
2/14 | HB 1175 | Lethal Injection Reform | Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7) |
2/04 | HB 1261 | Firearm Possession on College Campuses | Bill Passed - House (63 - 3) |
2/13 | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13) |
2/26 | SB 174 | Railroad Eminent Domain | Bill Passed - House (54 - 16) |
2/06 | SB 164 | Right to Obtain Contraception | Bill Failed - Senate (12 - 22) |
2/03 | SB 83 | Statewide Indoor Smoking Ban | Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 18) |
2/23 | HB 1240 | Smoking Ban | Bill Passed - House (43 - 27) |
2/12 | SB 156 | Expansion of Hate Crime Law | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21) |
2/12 | SB 156 | Expansion of Hate Crime Law | Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 21) |
2/17 | HB 1278 | Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions | Bill Passed - House (46 - 20) |
2/03 | SB 79 | Primary Seat Belt Enforcement | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13) |
2/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
2/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - House (52 - 17) |
1/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
1/23 | SB 1 | Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests | Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13) |
2/22 | HB 1215 | Abortion Ban | Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12) |
3/10 | SB 53 | Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19) |
3/19 | HB 1248 | Authorizes the Concealed Carry of a Handgun Without a Permit | Veto Override Failed - House (27 - 40) |
3/27 | SB 129 | Amends Rules Prohibiting Assault Against Teachers | Veto Override Failed - Senate (20 - 15) |
3/10 | SB 53 | Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 2) |
3/09 | SB 24 | Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants | Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19) |
3/28 | SB 151 | Requires Automatic Expungement of Marijuana Convictions | Veto Override Failed - Senate (17 - 17) |
3/01 | SB 141 | Amends the Definition of Domestic Abuse | Motion Agreed - House (39 - 25) |
3/09 | SB 24 | Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants | Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 11) |
3/04 | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 19) |
2/28 | SB 43 | Establishes Procedures for the Imposition of Fines and Probation Against Medical Cannabis Establishments | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 6) |
3/12 | HB 1087 | Requires Protections for All Forms of Free Speech at Public Universities | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 12) |
3/06 | SB 4 | Amends Court Authority to Commit a Juvenile Habitual Offender to the Department of Corrections | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (29 - 6) |
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) |
3/10 | SB 151 | Defines "Critical Infrastructure" and Restructures Associated Crimes | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 4) |
3/08 | SB 144 | Establishes The Incarceration Construction Fund | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 3) |
2/28 | HB 1090 | Authorizes Protections for Farmers and Agricultural Operations from Frivolous Lawsuits | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 7) |
3/07 | SB 1 | Expands Definition of Who Can Access Medical Marijuana Program | Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (19 - 15) |
3/07 | HB 1083 | Amends Concealed Carry Provisions | Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 3) |
2/28 | SB 4 | Amends Court Authority to Commit a Juvenile Habitual Offender to the Department of Corrections | Bill Passed - House (62 - 7) |
3/06 | SB 1 | Expands Definition of Who Can Access Medical Marijuana Program | Bill Passed - House (36 - 32) |
2/27 | HB 1087 | Authorizes School Sentinel Programs | Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14) |