Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Dakota
Republican
· Representative
John Hughes
Represents District 13 in the House of Representatives.
Votes with Republicans
90%
on 59 party-line votes · House Republicans median 79%
Cast a vote
97%
Yea or Nay on 475 of 492 roll calls · House median 99%
Their bills that became law
4 of 11
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 2
Roll calls on record
492
2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 11, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2026 Regular Session.
How John Hughes votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where John Hughes sits in the House
Each dot is one member of the House, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. John Hughes is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
6 of 59 party-line votes.
SB198 · Restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-03-05 · Failed 28–39 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB220 · Authorize a comprehensive study of juvenile correctional and residential facilities, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-03-04 · Failed 30–37 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1287 · Require an alternate approval process for an operation that extracts materials by the use of explosives.
Do Pass · 2026-02-17 · Failed 29–37 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1112 · Modify the definition of an electronic smoking device.
Motion to amend · 2026-02-05 · Passed 42–26 · most Republicans voted the other way
HJR5001 · Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election an amendment to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, requiring a declaration of necessity and clarifying public use of private property taken or damaged by eminent domain.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-01-27 · Passed 62–5 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1015 · Create a pilot program in the Unified Judicial System to develop a pretrial release program.
Do Pass · 2026-01-26 · Failed 33–34 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
HB1077 · Consider a cultivated-protein food product to be adulterated food.
Veto override · 2026-03-30 · Failed 32–32
SB183 · Modify requirements for public notice of a hearing prior to a vote to impose an excess tax levy.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-26 · Passed 6–5
HB1317 · Eliminate a limit on the accumulation of the unused index factor for property taxation.
Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 · 2026-02-20 · Passed 34–33
HB1236 · Establish civil liability for furnishing alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person.
Do Pass · 2026-02-18 · Failed 5–6
HB1015 · Create a pilot program in the Unified Judicial System to develop a pretrial release program.
Do Pass · 2026-01-26 · Failed 33–34
Democrats they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Eric EmeryDemocrat · District 26A · 173 shared contested votes
57%
Erik MuckeyDemocrat · District 15 · 171 shared contested votes
57%
Nicole Uhre-BalkDemocrat · District 32 · 173 shared contested votes
57%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (17 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← South Dakota Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaAbsentYeaYeaYeaAbsentYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills John Hughes was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced11
Out of committee9
Passed one chamber7
Passed both chambers4
Became law4
Never left committee2
For comparison, the median Republican member of the House has 2 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Penalty 3Legislature and Statutes 2Property Tax 2Taxation 2Administrative Procedure 2Fund 2
Prohibit the dispensing, distribution, sale, or advertisement of certain articles or things for purposes of an unlawful abortion and provide a criminal and civil penalty therefor.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on March 30, 2026 H.J. 579 · 2026-03-30
Permit a court to impose as a condition of probation, or parole in certain circumstances, treatment at a nonprofit entity awarded an alternative care program grant.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on March 30, 2026 H.J. 578 · 2026-03-30
Revise a provision related to the venue of adoption proceedings.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on March 04, 2026 H.J. 496 · 2026-03-04
Require certain applicants that seek a permit from the Public Utilities Commission of the State of South Dakota to prepare and pay for an environmental impact statement.
Passed one chamberCommerce and Energy Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 3. · 2026-03-03
Create requirements for age verification and parental consent for application stores and to provide a penalty therefor.
Passed one chamberState Affairs Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 4. S.J. 37 · 2026-03-02
Prohibit nondisclosure of certain agreements related to data centers.
Out of committeeHouse of Representatives Do Pass, Failed, YEAS 30, NAYS 37. H.J. 391 · 2026-02-20
Limit the use of taxpayer funds and resources by a public education employer to support a labor organization or affiliate and to provide a penalty therefor.
Out of committeeHouse of Representatives Do Pass Amended, Failed, YEAS 27, NAYS 40. H.J. 361 · 2026-02-18
Create a new class of nonagricultural property for purposes of taxation, and to provide a penalty therefor.
Not out of committeeTaxation Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 7, NAYS 5. · 2026-02-12
Update the official code of laws.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on February 12, 2026 H.J. 304 · 2026-02-12
Require an election for an excess tax levy of a school district.
Passed one chamberIntent to reconsider H.J. 228 · 2026-02-04
Require that all recorded votes of a legislator be displayed on the Legislative Research Council website.
Not out of committeeState Affairs Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 1. S.J. 11 · 2026-02-02
Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
Loading committees…
HB1138 · 2026-03-30
Require the licensure of non-medical home care agencies, and to provide a penalty therefor. (Veto override)
HB1077 · 2026-03-30
Consider a cultivated-protein food product to be adulterated food. (Veto override)
SB121 · 2026-03-30
Transfer moneys and make an appropriation for the replacement of the Richmond Lake dam and spillway and to declare an emergency. (Conference Committee Report adopted)
SB78 · 2026-03-12
Revise the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1326 · 2026-03-12
Appropriate money for the ordinary expenses of the legislative, judicial, and executive departments of the state, the current expenses of state institutions, interest on the public debt, and common schools. (Do Pass)
HB1051 · 2026-03-12
Revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to general and special education formulas. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1200 · 2026-03-11
Make an appropriation for victim services provided by nonprofit organizations. (Conference Committee Report adopted)
SB74 · 2026-03-11
Transfer moneys to the general fund from the budget reserve fund and the general revenue replacement fund, and to declare an emergency. (Conference Committee Report adopted)
HB1038 · 2026-03-10
Allow the Public Utilities Commission to assess actual costs to data centers that are customers of public utilities. (Concurred in amendments)
HB1320 · 2026-03-10
Revise a provision related to service of process for boards of county commissioners. (Concurred in amendments)
HB1215 · 2026-03-10
Authorize counties and municipalities to issue a license for a cigar bar. (Concurred in amendments)
HB1274 · 2026-03-10
Prohibit the dispensing, distribution, sale, or advertisement of certain articles or things for purposes of an unlawful abortion and provide a criminal and civil penalty therefor. (Concurred in amendments)
HB1323 · 2026-03-10
Modify the requirements to refer an ordinance or resolution to the voters of a political subdivision. (Failed to concur, no committee appointed)
HB1220 · 2026-03-10
Regulate the sale of nicotine products, and to provide a penalty therefor. (Concurred in amendments)
SB74 · 2026-03-09
Transfer moneys to the general fund from the budget reserve fund and the general revenue replacement fund, and to declare an emergency. (Do Pass Amended)
SB120 · 2026-03-09
Make an appropriation for the economic development of South Dakota. (Tabled)
SB102 · 2026-03-09
Modify the distribution of gaming revenues. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1209 · 2026-03-09
Require employment verification eligibility through the e-verify program and to provide a penalty therefor. (Failed to concur, appoint Conference Committee)
SB222 · 2026-03-09
Make an appropriation for eligible water, wastewater, storm water, and riparian buffer initiative projects and to declare an emergency. (Do Pass Amended)
SB244 · 2026-03-09
Address issues facing South Dakota. (Tabled)
SB221 · 2026-03-09
Regulate the retail sale of nicotine products, and to provide a penalty therefor. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1200 · 2026-03-09
Make an appropriation for victim services provided by nonprofit organizations. (Failed to concur, appoint Conference Committee)
SB119 · 2026-03-09
Create the capitol restoration fund and to transfer moneys thereto. (Do Pass Amended)
SB121 · 2026-03-09
Transfer moneys and make an appropriation for the replacement of the Richmond Lake dam and spillway and to declare an emergency. (Do Pass Amended)
SB219 · 2026-03-09
Require that a state agency consult with the Aeronautics Commission prior to purchasing, transferring, or disposing of a state owned and operated aircraft. (Do Pass Amended)
SB106 · 2026-03-09
Modify the amount required to be set aside for extraordinary expenses incurred in providing special education programs. (Do Pass Amended)
SB245 · 2026-03-09
Create the homeowner property tax reduction fund, and to transfer moneys to the homeowner property tax reduction fund. (Do Pass Amended)
SB139 · 2026-03-05
Revise a provision related to the transportation of an inmate upon discharge from a correctional facility. (Do Pass Amended)
SB137 · 2026-03-05
Establish procedures for anti-SLAPP actions to protect the exercise of a person's constitutional rights, including freedom of speech. (Do Pass Amended)
SB76 · 2026-03-05
Authorize loans from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund for airport infrastructure. (Do Pass Amended)
SB171 · 2026-03-05
Amend provisions pertaining to the processing of absentee ballots and to declare an emergency. (Do Pass Amended)
SB198 · 2026-03-05
Restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day. (Do Pass Amended)
SB96 · 2026-03-05
Authorize the imposition of a county option gross receipts tax to reduce owner-occupied property taxes. (Do Pass Amended)
SB39 · 2026-03-05
Revise provisions relating to industrial hemp. (Do Pass Amended)
SB159 · 2026-03-05
Revise requirements pertaining to the minimum age for marriage. (Do Pass Amended)
SB135 · 2026-03-05
Protect residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers. (Do Pass Amended)
SB204 · 2026-03-05
Revise certain criteria for loans from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund. (Do Pass Amended)
SB107 · 2026-03-05
Add licensed and registered child care programs to the definition of community safety zone. (Do Pass)
SB179 · 2026-03-05
Permit a court to commit a juvenile adjudicated delinquent for certain weapons offenses to the Department of Corrections. (Do Pass)
SB107 · 2026-03-04
Add licensed and registered child care programs to the definition of community safety zone. (Do Pass)
SB134 · 2026-03-04
Restrict deference to a state agency's interpretation of a state statute, administrative rule, or policy. (Do Pass)
SB134 · 2026-03-04
Restrict deference to a state agency's interpretation of a state statute, administrative rule, or policy. (Deferred to the 41st legislative day)
SB124 · 2026-03-04
Temporarily prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of any product containing cell-cultured protein, and to provide a penalty therefor. (Do Pass Amended)
SB175 · 2026-03-04
Require that an individual provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and to declare an emergency. (Do Pass Amended)
SB139 · 2026-03-04
Revise a provision related to the transportation of an inmate upon discharge from a correctional facility. (Do Pass)
SB179 · 2026-03-04
Permit a court to commit a juvenile adjudicated delinquent for certain weapons offenses to the Department of Corrections. (Do Pass)
SB224 · 2026-03-04
Provide a rebuttable presumption in favor of joint physical custody of a minor child. (Deferred to the 41st legislative day)
SB136 · 2026-03-04
Make an appropriation for grants to support the purchase of personal protective equipment by volunteer fire departments and to declare an emergency. (Do Pass)
SB137 · 2026-03-04
Establish procedures for anti-SLAPP actions to protect the exercise of a person's constitutional rights, including freedom of speech. (Do Pass)
SB3 · 2026-03-04
Limit the types of residential improvements for which counties, municipalities, and townships may require a permit. (Conference Committee Report adopted)
SB69 · 2026-03-04
Make an appropriation for the purchase of a new Division of Highway Patrol airplane and mission equipment and to declare an emergency. (Do Pass)
SB122 · 2026-03-04
Establish the crime of failure to summon aid for a suicide attempt and provide a penalty therefor. (Deferred to the 41st legislative day)
SB198 · 2026-03-04
Restrict the use of a cell phone by a student during the school day. (Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6)
SB37 · 2026-03-04
Make appropriations for water and environmental purposes and to declare an emergency. (Do Pass)
SB44 · 2026-03-04
Establish investigative subpoena authority to gather business records in certain investigations. (Do Pass Amended)
SB79 · 2026-03-04
Make an appropriation to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education to construct an advanced manufacturing laboratory space and classrooms on the campus of Southeast Technical College and to declare an emergency. (Do Pass)
SB40 · 2026-03-04
Revise the compliance requirements for limitations on foreign ownership of agricultural land. (Do Pass)
HB1194 · 2026-03-04
Clarify authority for the Cosmetology Commission to credit work experience for educational hours for certain out-of-state licensure applicants, and to require the commission to promulgate rules therefor. (Concurred in amendments)
SB151 · 2026-03-04
Require the publication of the results of an election for precinct committeeman or committeewoman and to declare an emergency. (Do Pass)
SB228 · 2026-03-04
Modify provisions for a tax increment financing district. (Do Pass Amended)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 492 total roll-call votes this session).
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