Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Dakota
Republican
· Representative
Karla Lems
Represents District 16 in the House of Representatives.
Votes with Republicans
92%
on 93 party-line votes · House Republicans median 79%
Cast a vote
100%
Yea or Nay on 504 of 504 roll calls · House median 99%
Their bills that became law
2 of 7
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 2
Roll calls on record
504
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 Karla Lems 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 Karla Lems 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. Karla Lems is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
7 of 93 party-line votes.
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
SB159 · Revise requirements pertaining to the minimum age for marriage.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-03-02 · Passed 7–5 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1196 · Provide for the participation of delegates from this state in an Article V convention, and to provide a penalty therefor.
Do Pass · 2026-02-18 · Passed 6–5 · 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
HB1065 · Revise the medical purpose affirmative defense in cannabis prosecution.
Motion to amend · 2026-02-17 · Passed 35–31 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1231 · Clarify documentation requirements for assistance animals in rental dwelling units.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-06 · Failed 6–6 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1103 · Require that annual withdrawal of groundwater from any groundwater source may not exceed the annual recharge of water to the groundwater source.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-02 · Failed 16–49 · 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
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 · 2026-02-11 · Failed 6–6
HB1229 · Require the inclusion of certain features within a manufacturer's application store or on a developer's application.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-09 · Failed 6–6
HB1231 · Clarify documentation requirements for assistance animals in rental dwelling units.
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-06 · Failed 6–6
SB76 · Authorize loans from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund for airport infrastructure.
Do Pass · 2026-03-04 · Passed 7–6
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.
Nicole Uhre-BalkDemocrat · District 32 · 196 shared contested votes
43%
Kadyn WittmanDemocrat · District 15 · 173 shared contested votes
41%
Erik MuckeyDemocrat · District 15 · 173 shared contested votes
41%
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 (0 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← South Dakota Delegation
NayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Karla Lems 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 committee5
Passed one chamber2
Passed both chambers2
Became law2
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
Future Fund 3Reemployment Assistance 2Conflict of Interest 2Economic Development 2State Affairs and Government 2Fund 1
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
Provide for the publication of ballot images and the cast vote record of automatic tabulating equipment.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on March 05, 2026 S.J. 474 · 2026-03-05
Modify requirements for payment of the employer's investment in South Dakota's future fee.
Out of committeeHouse of Representatives Do Pass, Failed, YEAS 31, NAYS 36. H.J. 414 · 2026-02-23
Protect persons from discrimination by financial institutions.
Not out of committeeCommerce and Energy Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 4. · 2026-02-20
Prohibit members of the Board of Economic Development from having any interest in moneys from or approved by the Board of Economic Development.
Out of committeeHouse of Representatives Do Pass Amended, Failed, YEAS 29, NAYS 36. H.J. 371 · 2026-02-19
Establish a post-employment restriction for employees of the Governor's Office of Economic Development and create a penalty therefor.
Not out of committeeState Affairs Tabled, Passed, YEAS 11, NAYS 1. · 2026-02-11
Amend the process by which moneys are distributed from the employer's investment in South Dakota's future fund.
Out of committeeState Affairs Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 5, NAYS 4. S.J. 7 · 2026-01-26
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)
SB76 · 2026-03-04
Authorize loans from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund for airport infrastructure. (Do Pass)
SB96 · 2026-03-04
Authorize the imposition of a county option gross receipts tax to reduce owner-occupied property taxes. (Do Pass)
SB221 · 2026-03-04
Regulate the retail sale of nicotine products, and to provide a penalty therefor. (Do Pass Amended)
SB102 · 2026-03-04
Modify the distribution of gaming revenues. (Referred to)
SB204 · 2026-03-04
Revise certain criteria for loans from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund. (Do Pass)
SB245 · 2026-03-04
Create the homeowner property tax reduction fund, and to transfer moneys to the homeowner property tax reduction fund. (Do Pass Amended)
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)
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)
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)
SB244 · 2026-03-04
Address issues facing South Dakota. (Do Pass)
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)
HB1102 · 2026-03-04
Reschedule the date for filing certain annual reports. (Concurred in amendments)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 504 total roll-call votes this session).
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