Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Dakota
Votes with Republicans
88%
on 74 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 76%
Cast a vote
94%
Yea or Nay on 423 of 451 roll calls · Senate median 98%
Their bills that became law
4 of 7
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 3
Roll calls on record
451
2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 6, 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 Mark Lapka 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 Mark Lapka sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Mark Lapka is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
9 of 74 party-line votes.
HB1176 · Clarify bond or pre-trial release upon sobriety program participation.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-03-05 · Failed 4–5 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1263 · Eliminate an exclusion from the definition of an agricultural equipment dealer.
Do Pass · 2026-03-04 · Passed 28–6 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1107 · Modify restrictions on lands for certain public purposes.
Do Pass · 2026-03-02 · Passed 20–13 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB196 · Increase the income limits for a property tax assessment freeze.
Do Pass · 2026-02-24 · Failed 15–18 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB96 · Authorize the imposition of a county option gross receipts tax to reduce owner-occupied property taxes.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-23 · Passed 20–14 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB225 · Apportion interest earnings from the unclaimed property trust fund to school districts.
Deferred to the 41st legislative day · 2026-02-23 · Passed 5–3 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB210 · Provide that a portion of revenues from wind farms remain with school districts.
Deferred to the 41st legislative day · 2026-02-23 · Passed 6–2 · most Republicans voted the other way
SJR503 · Applying to the United States Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution regarding the imposition of fiscal restraints on the federal government, further limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limiting the terms of office for members of Congress and other federal officials.
Do Pass · 2026-01-26 · Passed 25–9 · most Republicans voted the other way
SJR502 · Applying to the United States Congress under Article V of the United States Constitution to call for a convention proposing an amendment to the constitution fixing the number of justices of the United States Supreme Court at one chief justice and eight associate justices.
Do Pass · 2026-01-26 · Passed 24–10 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
HB1160 · Repeal the medical marijuana oversight committee.
Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 · 2026-03-09 · Failed 17–17
HB1241 · Modify the requirements for public notice of a hearing prior to a vote to impose an excess tax levy, and to modify requirements to refer an excess tax levy of a school district to a vote.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-03-09 · Failed 17–17
SB193 · Clarify the definition of backup electric generation.
Reconsidered · 2026-02-23 · Failed 17–17
SB218 · Provide for the establishment of charter schools.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-19 · Failed 17–17
SB195 · Repeal the expiration of a reduction in certain gross receipts and use tax rates.
Do Pass · 2026-02-17 · Failed 17–17
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.
Red Dawn FosterDemocrat · District 27 · 148 shared contested votes
64%
Liz LarsonDemocrat · District 10 · 137 shared contested votes
34%
Jamie SmithDemocrat · District 15 · 136 shared contested votes
34%
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 (28 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← South Dakota Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNay
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Mark Lapka 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.
Introduced7
Out of committee6
Passed one chamber5
Passed both chambers4
Became law4
Never left committee1
For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 3 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Eminent Domain 2Fund 2Property Tax 2Taxation 2Transfer of Moneys 2Ballot Measures 1
Eliminate the Agricultural Land Assessment Implementation and Oversight Advisory Task Force, and to provide that the Department of Revenue receive the submission of recommendations and provide a report on agricultural value.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on March 30, 2026 H.J. 578 · 2026-03-30
Clarify the procedure for a potential condemnor to examine real property absent the property owner's permission.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on March 12, 2026 S.J. 529 · 2026-03-12
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.
Passed one chamberSenate Do Pass Amended, Failed, YEAS 14, NAYS 19. S.J. 433 · 2026-03-02
Apportion interest earnings from the unclaimed property trust fund to school districts.
Not out of committeeCommittee on Appropriations Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 3. · 2026-02-23
Establish a new fund to provide property tax relief.
Out of committeeSenate Do Pass, Failed, YEAS 16, NAYS 17. S.J. 360 · 2026-02-23
Revise restrictions on residence within a community safety zone and to declare an emergency.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on February 17, 2026 H.J. 326 · 2026-02-17
Provide for the sale of producer-raised meat and meat food products directly to consumers pending legalization under federal law.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on February 17, 2026 H.J. 326 · 2026-02-17
Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
Loading committees…
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. (Motion to amend)
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)
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)
SB245 · 2026-03-11
Create the homeowner property tax reduction fund, and to transfer moneys to the homeowner property tax reduction fund. (Concurred in amendments)
HB1139 · 2026-03-11
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. (Tabled)
HB1200 · 2026-03-11
Make an appropriation for victim services provided by nonprofit organizations. (Conference Committee Report adopted)
HB1326 · 2026-03-11
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)
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. (Motion to amend)
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)
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)
HB1209 · 2026-03-11
Require employment verification eligibility through the e-verify program and to provide a penalty therefor. (Conference Committee report not adopted, no committee appointed)
HB1209 · 2026-03-11
Require employment verification eligibility through the e-verify program and to provide a penalty therefor. (Reconsidered)
SB78 · 2026-03-11
Revise the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1051 · 2026-03-11
Revise property tax levies for school districts and to revise the state aid to general and special education formulas. (Do Pass Amended)
SB39 · 2026-03-10
Revise provisions relating to industrial hemp. (Concurred in amendments)
SB159 · 2026-03-10
Revise requirements pertaining to the minimum age for marriage. (Concurred in amendments)
SB106 · 2026-03-10
Modify the amount required to be set aside for extraordinary expenses incurred in providing special education programs. (Concurred in amendments)
SB171 · 2026-03-10
Amend provisions pertaining to the processing of absentee ballots and to declare an emergency. (Concurred in amendments)
SB135 · 2026-03-10
Protect residents from increased utility costs and utility shortages caused by data centers and clarify authority to regulate data centers. (Concurred in amendments)
SB221 · 2026-03-10
Regulate the retail sale of nicotine products, and to provide a penalty therefor. (Concurred in amendments)
SB119 · 2026-03-10
Create the capitol restoration fund and to transfer moneys thereto. (Concurred in amendments)
HB1302 · 2026-03-09
Address issues facing South Dakota. (Tabled)
HB1184 · 2026-03-09
Define man and woman throughout the state. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1323 · 2026-03-09
Modify the requirements to refer an ordinance or resolution to the voters of a political subdivision. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1176 · 2026-03-09
Clarify bond or pre-trial release upon sobriety program participation. (Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6)
HB1006 · 2026-03-09
Create a taskforce to study the creation of Indian medicaid managed care entities in the state. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1082 · 2026-03-09
Establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students. (Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6)
HB1082 · 2026-03-09
Establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students. (Do Pass Amended)
SB49 · 2026-03-09
Safeguard the integrity, privacy, and security of genetic data and provide a civil penalty therefor. (Concurred in amendments)
HB1187 · 2026-03-09
Add coaches to the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1134 · 2026-03-09
Make an appropriation for the economic development prosperity of South Dakota. (Tabled)
HB1253 · 2026-03-09
Adjust the assessment methodology for owner-occupied single-family dwellings and nonagricultural property. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1038 · 2026-03-09
Allow the Public Utilities Commission to assess actual costs to data centers that are customers of public utilities. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1149 · 2026-03-09
Adopt the athletic trainer licensure compact. (Do Pass)
HB1303 · 2026-03-09
Promote the future success and development of South Dakota. (Tabled)
HB1249 · 2026-03-09
Amend provisions pertaining to the School Finance Accountability Board, and the process by which a recommendation of the board is approved. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1160 · 2026-03-09
Repeal the medical marijuana oversight committee. (Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6)
HB1160 · 2026-03-09
Repeal the medical marijuana oversight committee. (Do Pass)
HB1135 · 2026-03-09
Make an appropriation to enhance the economic health of South Dakota. (Tabled)
HB1274 · 2026-03-09
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. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1320 · 2026-03-09
Revise a provision related to service of process for boards of county commissioners. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1215 · 2026-03-09
Authorize counties and municipalities to issue a license for a cigar bar. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1241 · 2026-03-09
Modify the requirements for public notice of a hearing prior to a vote to impose an excess tax levy, and to modify requirements to refer an excess tax levy of a school district to a vote. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1241 · 2026-03-09
Modify the requirements for public notice of a hearing prior to a vote to impose an excess tax levy, and to modify requirements to refer an excess tax levy of a school district to a vote. (Reconsidered)
HB1241 · 2026-03-09
Modify the requirements for public notice of a hearing prior to a vote to impose an excess tax levy, and to modify requirements to refer an excess tax levy of a school district to a vote. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1140 · 2026-03-09
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. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1148 · 2026-03-09
Adopt the respiratory care interstate compact. (Do Pass)
HB1176 · 2026-03-05
Clarify bond or pre-trial release upon sobriety program participation. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1176 · 2026-03-05
Clarify bond or pre-trial release upon sobriety program participation. (Report out of committee without recommendation as amended)
HB1082 · 2026-03-05
Establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students. (Tabled)
HB1045 · 2026-03-05
Revise certain provisions related to child support. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1108 · 2026-03-05
Require the sealing of court files upon dismissal or denial of a petition for a protection order. (Do Pass Amended)
HB1300 · 2026-03-05
Except victims of human trafficking or domestic abuse from certain clemency notice requirements. (Do Pass Amended)
SB15 · 2026-03-05
Create the Developmental Disability Service Delivery Committee. (Concurred in amendments)
HB1040 · 2026-03-05
Revise the child support obligation schedule. (Do Pass)
HB1258 · 2026-03-05
Require that a property tax bill provide access to a state website providing property tax information. (Do Pass)
HB1138 · 2026-03-05
Require the licensure of non-medical home care agencies, and to provide a penalty therefor. (Do Pass Amended)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 451 total roll-call votes this session).
Official Links
Follow Mark Lapka
One email a week, only when there’s something: every time they broke with their party, and the closest votes they cast. Free, and you can stop any time.