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 12, 2009 SD HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
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. 21, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
Feb. 7, 2006 SD H Amdt 1194rf Penalties for School Employees for Dispensing Contraceptives Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 33)
March 3, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
March 3, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22)
March 9, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
March 1, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 26, 2008 SD SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
Feb. 22, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 1, 2007 SD HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 6, 2008 SD SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
Feb. 24, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 2, 2007 SD SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
Feb. 26, 2007 SD HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 4, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 28, 2007 SD SB 95 Control of Technical Institutes Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
Feb. 28, 2007 SD SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
Jan. 31, 2008 SD SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
Feb. 25, 2008 SD SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
Feb. 12, 2007 SD SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
Jan. 29, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
Feb. 20, 2008 SD SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Feb. 7, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 15, 2007 SD SB 157 Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1293 Abortion Limitations Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
Feb. 13, 2007 SD HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - House (47 - 23)
Feb. 5, 2008 SD HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
Jan. 24, 2007 SD SB 74 Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
Feb. 5, 2007 SD HB 1296 Pre-Abortion Sonograms Bill Passed - House (43 - 24)
Feb. 7, 2007 SD HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
Jan. 22, 2008 SD SB 26 State Regulation of Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1194 Contraceptive Distribution at Public Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
Feb. 27, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
Feb. 7, 2006 SD HB 1217 Abstinence-Only Sex Education Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
Feb. 22, 2006 SD HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
Jan. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Feb. 23, 2006 SD SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
Feb. 10, 2006 SD HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Passed - House (51 - 14)
Feb. 17, 2010 SD HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
Feb. 18, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 3, 2010 SD SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
Feb. 9, 2009 SD SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
Feb. 23, 2009 SD HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
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. 26, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
Feb. 14, 2008 SD HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
Jan. 29, 2008 SD HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
Feb. 21, 2008 SD HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 4, 2008 SD HB 1261 Firearm Possession on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
March 13, 2009 SD HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
Feb. 14, 2007 SD HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 6, 2007 SD HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
Feb. 20, 2007 SD HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
Feb. 13, 2008 SD SJR 1 Eliminating Term Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 12, 2007 SD SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
Feb. 11, 2008 SD SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
Feb. 17, 2009 SD SB 106 School Funding Formula Revision Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
Feb. 4, 2009 SD HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
Feb. 18, 2009 SD HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
Feb. 9, 2009 SD SJR 1 Authorization of Legal Gaming due to Gaming in Bordering States Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
March 21, 2006 SD SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
March 21, 2006 SD SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
Jan. 24, 2006 SD SB 27 State Fair Appropriation Bill Passed - House (61 - 7)
Jan. 17, 2006 SD SB 27 State Fair Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
Feb. 9, 2006 SD HB 1234 Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
Feb. 2, 2009 SD HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
Feb. 3, 2009 SD SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
March 19, 2012 SD SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
March 26, 2018 SD SB 76 Amends Voter Registration Veto Override Passed - House (56 - 7)
March 29, 2010 SD SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
March 10, 2022 SD SB 53 Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19)
March 13, 2015 SD SB 1 Increases Speed Limit Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 9)
March 6, 2024 SD SB 201 Amends State Regulations on Pipeline Transmission Infrastructure Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 31)
Nov. 10, 2021 SD HB 1001 Amends State Legislative Districts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 2)
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 6, 2024 SD HB 1186 Prohibits Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Easement Agreements from Exceeding 50 Years Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
March 5, 2024 SD HB 1092 increases the 911 Surcharge on Phone Lines from $1.25 to $2 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 4)
March 13, 2014 SD HB 1177 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 18)
March 13, 2015 SD SB 1 Increases Speed Limit Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 11)
March 7, 2023 SD HB 1022 Appropriates Funds for the Increased Costs of Building the New State Public Health Laboratory. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 4)
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 9, 2022 SD SB 24 Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 11)
Nov. 10, 2021 SD HB 1001 Amends State Legislative Districts Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 31)
March 6, 2024 SD SB 201 Amends State Regulations on Pipeline Transmission Infrastructure Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
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 13, 2014 SD HB 1177 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7)
Date No. Title Outcome
3/12 HB 1197 Tax Changes Relating to Single Family Dwellings Under Construction Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
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)
2/21 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Tabled - Senate (29 - 4)
2/07 H Amdt 1194rf Penalties for School Employees for Dispensing Contraceptives Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (37 - 33)
3/03 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (19 - 16)
3/03 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (45 - 22)
3/09 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 23)
3/01 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Concurrence Vote Passed - House (37 - 33)
2/26 SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
2/22 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/01 HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/06 SB 126 Repealing Liquor License Cap Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
2/24 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/02 SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - House (62 - 8)
2/26 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/04 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/28 SB 95 Control of Technical Institutes Bill Passed - House (50 - 19)
2/28 SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - House (46 - 23)
1/31 SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
2/25 SB 173 Eliminating Restrictions on Corporate Dairy Farms Bill Passed - House (63 - 6)
2/12 SB 207 Minimum Wage Increase Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
1/29 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
2/20 SB 88 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 32)
2/14 SB 196 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
2/07 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - House (56 - 14)
2/14 HB 1160 Physician Presence at Executions Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/15 SB 157 Teacher Compensation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 5)
2/14 HB 1293 Abortion Limitations Bill Passed - House (45 - 25)
2/13 HB 1048 Campaign Contribution Reform Bill Passed - House (47 - 23)
2/05 HB 1250 Legislative Pay Raise Bill Passed - House (54 - 14)
1/24 SB 74 Allowing Friends to Make Medical Decisions Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
2/05 HB 1296 Pre-Abortion Sonograms Bill Passed - House (43 - 24)
2/07 HB 1139 Tobacco Tax Funds Bill Passed - House (60 - 10)
1/22 SB 26 State Regulation of Preschools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
2/09 HB 1194 Contraceptive Distribution at Public Schools Bill Passed - House (51 - 17)
2/27 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
2/07 HB 1217 Abstinence-Only Sex Education Bill Passed - House (46 - 24)
2/09 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
2/13 HB 1085 Constructing Science Facilities at Universities Bill Passed - House (61 - 6)
2/22 HB 1215 Abortion Ban Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
1/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
2/23 SB 1 Mandatory Bodily Substance Samples in Drunk Driving Arrests Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
2/10 HB 1235 Compulsory High School Education Age to 18 Bill Passed - House (51 - 14)
2/17 HCR 1009 Urges Changes to the Public School Environmental Curriculum Resolution Passed - House (36 - 30)
2/14 HB 1124 Teacher Compensation and Performance Bill Passed - House (39 - 29)
2/18 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/03 SB 89 Exempts Certain Firearms From Federal Regulation Bill Passed - House (49 - 19)
2/09 SJR 3 Extending Senate Terms and Legislative Term-Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
2/23 HB 1240 Smoking Ban Bill Passed - House (43 - 27)
2/13 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 13)
2/26 SB 174 Railroad Eminent Domain Bill Passed - House (54 - 16)
2/26 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
2/14 HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
2/13 HB 1233 Government Spending Database Bill Passed - House (47 - 22)
1/29 HB 1193 Offering Sonograms to Women Considering Abortion Bill Passed - House (38 - 31)
2/21 HB 1151 Adult-Oriented Business Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/04 HB 1261 Firearm Possession on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
3/13 HB 1300 2009-2010 Budget Bill Passed - House (42 - 28)
2/14 HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/06 HB 1175 Lethal Injection Reform Bill Passed - House (51 - 19)
2/20 HB 1082 School District Consolidation Bill Passed - House (37 - 33)
2/13 SJR 1 Eliminating Term Limits Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/12 SB 199 Mandatory School Attendance Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
2/11 SB 189 Accessibility of Public Records Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
2/17 HB 1278 Ban on Local Firearm Restrictions Bill Passed - House (46 - 20)
2/17 SB 106 School Funding Formula Revision Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
2/04 HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - House (36 - 34)
2/18 HB 1171 Exemptions from School District Minimum Size Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 12)
2/09 SJR 1 Authorization of Legal Gaming due to Gaming in Bordering States Joint Resolution Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
3/21 SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 4)
3/21 SB 210 2006-2007 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (63 - 3)
1/24 SB 27 State Fair Appropriation Bill Passed - House (61 - 7)
1/17 SB 27 State Fair Appropriation Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 4)
2/09 HB 1234 Mandatory Kindergarten Bill Passed - House (52 - 15)
2/02 HB 1004 Legalizing the Killing of Threatening Mountain Lions Bill Passed - House (37 - 32)
2/03 SB 79 Primary Seat Belt Enforcement Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 13)
3/19 SB 157 Prohibits Cities From Limiting Outdoor Digital Billboards Veto Override Passed - Senate (26 - 7)
3/26 SB 76 Amends Voter Registration Veto Override Passed - House (56 - 7)
3/29 SB 121 Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Education Promotion Programs Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 4)
3/10 SB 53 Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19)
3/13 SB 1 Increases Speed Limit Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 9)
3/06 SB 201 Amends State Regulations on Pipeline Transmission Infrastructure Conference Report Adopted - House (39 - 31)
11/10 HB 1001 Amends State Legislative Districts Conference Report Adopted - Senate (30 - 2)
3/09 SB 24 Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants Conference Report Adopted - House (50 - 19)
3/10 SB 53 Authorizes Community Work Center for Inmates Conference Report Adopted - Senate (32 - 2)
3/06 HB 1186 Prohibits Carbon Dioxide Pipeline Easement Agreements from Exceeding 50 Years Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
3/05 HB 1092 increases the 911 Surcharge on Phone Lines from $1.25 to $2 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 4)
3/13 HB 1177 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 18)
3/13 SB 1 Increases Speed Limit Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 11)
3/07 HB 1022 Appropriates Funds for the Increased Costs of Building the New State Public Health Laboratory. Conference Report Adopted - Senate (26 - 4)
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)
3/09 SB 24 Limits Cultivation of Cannabis Plants Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 11)
11/10 HB 1001 Amends State Legislative Districts Conference Report Adopted - House (37 - 31)
3/06 SB 201 Amends State Regulations on Pipeline Transmission Infrastructure Conference Report Adopted - Senate (24 - 10)
3/07 HB 1022 Appropriates Funds for the Increased Costs of Building the New State Public Health Laboratory. Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 19)
3/13 HB 1177 Prohibits Texting While Driving on a Highway Conference Report Adopted - Senate (28 - 7)

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