Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · South Dakota
Kyle Schoenfish
Republican · Senator

Kyle Schoenfish

Represents District 19 in the State Senate.

Official site ↗ Email
Votes with Republicans
48%
on 73 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 76%
Cast a vote
99%
Yea or Nay on 435 of 436 roll calls · Senate median 98%
Their bills that became law
2 of 13
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 3
Roll calls on record
436
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 Kyle Schoenfish 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 Kyle Schoenfish 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. Kyle Schoenfish is circled.

Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party

38 of 73 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.

SB245 · Create the homeowner property tax reduction fund, and to transfer moneys to the homeowner property tax reduction fund.
Nay
Concurred in amendments · 2026-03-11 · Passed 20–13 · most Republicans voted the other way
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.
Nay
Reconsidered · 2026-03-09 · Passed 19–15 · most Republicans voted the other way
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.
Nay
Do Pass Amended · 2026-03-09 · Failed 17–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1160 · Repeal the medical marijuana oversight committee.
Yea
Do Pass · 2026-03-09 · Failed 15–19 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1160 · Repeal the medical marijuana oversight committee.
Yea
Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 · 2026-03-09 · Failed 17–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB1323 · Modify the requirements to refer an ordinance or resolution to the voters of a political subdivision.
Nay
Do Pass Amended · 2026-03-09 · Passed 19–15 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB211 · Prohibit certain billing practices by ambulance service providers and establish reimbursement standards for out-of-network emergency medical services.
Yea
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-24 · Passed 17–16 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB118 · Deposit certain tax revenues into a homeowner tax reduction fund.
Yea
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-24 · Failed 16–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
SJR508 · Proposing and submitting to the voters at the next general election, amendments to the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, removing the lieutenant governor as presiding officer of the Senate.
Nay
Do Pass · 2026-02-24 · Passed 19–14 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB193 · Clarify the definition of backup electric generation.
Yea
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-23 · Failed 17–17 · 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.
Yea
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.
Nay
Do Pass Amended · 2026-03-09 · Failed 17–17
SB193 · Clarify the definition of backup electric generation.
Yea
Reconsidered · 2026-02-23 · Failed 17–17
SB218 · Provide for the establishment of charter schools.
Nay
Do Pass Amended · 2026-02-19 · Failed 17–17
SB195 · Repeal the expiration of a reduction in certain gross receipts and use tax rates.
Nay
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.

Jamie SmithDemocrat · District 15 · 159 shared contested votes
79%
Liz LarsonDemocrat · District 10 · 146 shared contested votes
77%
Red Dawn FosterDemocrat · District 27 · 130 shared contested votes
46%
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 (1 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.

2026-01: 95 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2026-02: 220 roll calls, 1 without a Yea or Nay2026-03: 121 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or NayJan 2026Mar 2026
← South Dakota Delegation
Their bills, from filing to law

Bills Kyle Schoenfish 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.

Introduced13
Out of committee3
Passed one chamber2
Passed both chambers2
Became law2
Never left committee10

For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 3 bills that became law this session.

What their bills are about
Education 5Senate Commemoration 3Fund 2School Districts 2Uncodified Acts 2Accountants 1
Amend permissible uses of a school district's capital outlay fund.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on March 04, 2026 H.J. 496 · 2026-03-04
Modify provisions related to the licensure of public accountants.
Became lawSigned by the Governor on March 02, 2026 H.J. 466 · 2026-03-02
Make an appropriation for a statewide educator retention initiative.
Not out of committeeCommittee on Appropriations Tabled, Passed, YEAS 15, NAYS 0. J.J. 34 · 2026-02-26
Increase a limit on video lottery gaming, and to deposit moneys into a new fund.
Not out of committeeCommerce and Energy Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 8, NAYS 0. · 2026-02-19
Commending and honoring Duane Alm for his more than sixty years of dutiful service to the Aberdeen School District as an educator, administrator, and school board member, and for being the recipient of the Associated School Boards of South Dakota's School Bell Award for 2025.
Not out of committeeS.J. 285 · 2026-02-17
Commending and honoring Richard Schlosser, a member of the Frederick Area School District Board of Education, on his twenty-five years of school board service.
Not out of committeeS.J. 285 · 2026-02-17
Commending and honoring the Hill City School Board on its selection as the Associated School Boards of South Dakota Outstanding School Board of South Dakota for 2025.
Not out of committeeS.J. 285 · 2026-02-17
Commending and honoring Amber Vogt, a member of the Lead-Deadwood School District Board of Education, on her selection as the Associated School Boards of South Dakota Outstanding School Board Member of South Dakota for 2025.
Not out of committeeS.J. 285 · 2026-02-17
Commending and honoring the 2025-2026 Outstanding School Administrators of South Dakota: David Olson, Meade, Middle School Principal; Kendra Becker, Redfield, Secondary School Principal; Richie Hutchinson, Sioux Falls, Assistant Middle School Principal; and Kay Bass, Harrisburg, Assistant Secondary School Principal.
Not out of committeeS.J. 172 · 2026-02-03
Commending and honoring the 2024-2025 Outstanding School Administrators of South Dakota: Dr. Jeff Danielsen, Watertown, School Superintendent; Bo Beck, Aberdeen, Middle School Principal; Connie Alspach, Dupree, School Business Official; Jay Swatek, Tea, Elementary School Principal; Kelly Messmer, Harding County, Secondary School Principal; Sherri Nelson, Brandon Valley, Curriculum Leader; and Monica Waltman, Douglas, Director of Special Education.
Not out of committeeS.J. 172 · 2026-02-03
Celebrating and honoring Tabor Czech Days annual festivities on the occasion of its seventy-seventh anniversary.
Not out of committeeS.J. 148 · 2026-01-29
Require that the secretary of the Department of Education apply to the United States Department of Education for the authority to develop and implement an innovative assessment system.
Not out of committeeWithdrawn at the Request of the Prime Sponsor H.J. 163 · 2026-01-28
Amend the process by which certain school districts calculate the general fund base percentage.
Out of committeeEducation Deferred to the 41st legislative day, Passed, YEAS 9, NAYS 4. · 2026-01-28

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. (Conference Committee Report adopted)
Passed · 28-2
Yea
SB78 · 2026-03-12
Revise the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 26-8
Yea
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)
Passed · 25-9
Yea
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)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
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)
Passed · 20-13
Nay
HB1200 · 2026-03-11
Make an appropriation for victim services provided by nonprofit organizations. (Conference Committee Report adopted)
Passed · 31-2
Yea
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)
Passed · 33-0
Yea
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)
Passed · 18-15
Yea
HB1209 · 2026-03-11
Require employment verification eligibility through the e-verify program and to provide a penalty therefor. (Reconsidered)
Failed · 15-19
Nay
SB39 · 2026-03-10
Revise provisions relating to industrial hemp. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 31-3
Yea
SB159 · 2026-03-10
Revise requirements pertaining to the minimum age for marriage. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 31-3
Yea
SB106 · 2026-03-10
Modify the amount required to be set aside for extraordinary expenses incurred in providing special education programs. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 20-11
Yea
SB171 · 2026-03-10
Amend provisions pertaining to the processing of absentee ballots and to declare an emergency. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 32-2
Yea
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)
Passed · 33-1
Yea
SB221 · 2026-03-10
Regulate the retail sale of nicotine products, and to provide a penalty therefor. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 29-5
Nay
SB119 · 2026-03-10
Create the capitol restoration fund and to transfer moneys thereto. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 20-12
Nay
HB1302 · 2026-03-09
Address issues facing South Dakota. (Tabled)
Passed · 33-0
Yea
HB1184 · 2026-03-09
Define man and woman throughout the state. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 30-4
Yea
HB1323 · 2026-03-09
Modify the requirements to refer an ordinance or resolution to the voters of a political subdivision. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 19-15
Nay
HB1176 · 2026-03-09
Clarify bond or pre-trial release upon sobriety program participation. (Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6)
Failed · 8-26
Nay
HB1006 · 2026-03-09
Create a taskforce to study the creation of Indian medicaid managed care entities in the state. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 32-2
Yea
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)
Passed · 20-14
Yea
HB1082 · 2026-03-09
Establish parameters for the reimbursement of school districts that provide free or reduced-price meals to students. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 20-14
Yea
SB49 · 2026-03-09
Safeguard the integrity, privacy, and security of genetic data and provide a civil penalty therefor. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1187 · 2026-03-09
Add coaches to the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse or neglect. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1134 · 2026-03-09
Make an appropriation for the economic development prosperity of South Dakota. (Tabled)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1253 · 2026-03-09
Adjust the assessment methodology for owner-occupied single-family dwellings and nonagricultural property. (Do Pass Amended)
Failed · 9-24
Nay
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)
Passed · 32-2
Yea
HB1149 · 2026-03-09
Adopt the athletic trainer licensure compact. (Do Pass)
Passed · 32-2
Yea
HB1303 · 2026-03-09
Promote the future success and development of South Dakota. (Tabled)
Passed · 33-0
Yea
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)
Passed · 33-0
Yea
HB1160 · 2026-03-09
Repeal the medical marijuana oversight committee. (Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6)
Failed · 17-17
Yea
HB1160 · 2026-03-09
Repeal the medical marijuana oversight committee. (Do Pass)
Failed · 15-19
Yea
HB1135 · 2026-03-09
Make an appropriation to enhance the economic health of South Dakota. (Tabled)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
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)
Passed · 31-2
Yea
HB1320 · 2026-03-09
Revise a provision related to service of process for boards of county commissioners. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1215 · 2026-03-09
Authorize counties and municipalities to issue a license for a cigar bar. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 28-6
Yea
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)
Failed · 17-17
Nay
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)
Passed · 19-15
Nay
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)
Failed · 14-20
Nay
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)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1148 · 2026-03-09
Adopt the respiratory care interstate compact. (Do Pass)
Passed · 30-4
Yea
HB1279 · 2026-03-05
Permit technical college employees to join the state health plan. (Deferred to the 41st legislative day)
Passed · 4-3
Nay
HB1249 · 2026-03-05
Amend provisions pertaining to the School Finance Accountability Board, and the process by which a recommendation of the board is approved. (Do Pass)
Passed · 5-2
Yea
HB1045 · 2026-03-05
Revise certain provisions related to child support. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1108 · 2026-03-05
Require the sealing of court files upon dismissal or denial of a petition for a protection order. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1300 · 2026-03-05
Except victims of human trafficking or domestic abuse from certain clemency notice requirements. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
SB15 · 2026-03-05
Create the Developmental Disability Service Delivery Committee. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 33-1
Yea
HB1040 · 2026-03-05
Revise the child support obligation schedule. (Do Pass)
Failed · 12-22
Yea
HB1258 · 2026-03-05
Require that a property tax bill provide access to a state website providing property tax information. (Do Pass)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1138 · 2026-03-05
Require the licensure of non-medical home care agencies, and to provide a penalty therefor. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 20-14
Yea
HB1183 · 2026-03-05
Revise qualifications for immunity from prosecution following a drug-related overdose. (Do Pass)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1161 · 2026-03-05
Amend provisions related to changing rooms, sleeping quarters, and restrooms. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1220 · 2026-03-05
Regulate the sale of nicotine products, and to provide a penalty therefor. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 27-7
Yea
SB90 · 2026-03-05
Expand the information required to be sent to the prescription drug monitoring program for each registry identification card holder. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 31-3
Yea
SB132 · 2026-03-05
Modify provisions related to the South Dakota Veterans Council. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1232 · 2026-03-05
Establish principles for a state agency to consider when formulating or implementing a program that has the potential of affecting tribal members on a reservation. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
HB1245 · 2026-03-05
Authorize municipalities to establish a local funding mechanism for capital improvement projects. (Do Pass Amended)
Passed · 19-15
Yea
SB131 · 2026-03-05
Revise the season in which a nonprofit organization may host a special pheasant hunt for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
SB214 · 2026-03-05
Amend provisions pertaining to the publication of the statewide voter registration file. (Concurred in amendments)
Passed · 34-0
Yea
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 436 total roll-call votes this session).
Voting data provided by LegiScan, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
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