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.


results per page:
Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
May 9, 2018 CO SB 18-272 Establishes School Grants for Suicide-Prevention Training Bill Passed - House (53 - 12)
May 7, 2018 CO SB 18-272 Establishes School Grants for Suicide-Prevention Training Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
May 2, 2018 SC S 28 Amends Rule Related to Time-Off Credits For Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (84 - 20)
May 2, 2018 RI S 2350 Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
May 2, 2018 IL SB 3249 Requires LGBT History in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
May 2, 2018 NY A 10475 Prohibits State Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (133 - 1)
May 2, 2018 NY A 10475 Prohibits State Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (133 - 1)
April 27, 2018 OK SB 1600 Amends General Appropriations Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
April 25, 2018 CT SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (91 - 59)
April 25, 2018 RI S 2353 Requires Educators to Report Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
April 23, 2018 TN HB 2114 Requires Scholarship Students to Complete 30 Credits per Year Bill Failed - House (41 - 46)
April 19, 2018 IL SB 2546 Authorizes Graduate Research Assistant Unions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
April 19, 2018 AZ HB 2563 Establishes Free Speech Policy for College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
April 18, 2018 CT SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
April 18, 2018 CO HB 18-1391 Establishes Requirements for Sexual Misconduct Policies Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
April 17, 2018 CO SB 18-083 Establishes Educational Tax Credit System Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
April 14, 2018 AK HB 287 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
April 14, 2018 AK HB 339 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - House (22 - 18)
April 12, 2018 NJ S 699 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
April 12, 2018 NJ A 764 Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
April 11, 2018 OH SB 82 Requires Schools to Contact Parents for Unexcused Absences Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
April 11, 2018 OH HB 360 Requires Additional Anti-Bullying Policies in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
April 11, 2018 OH HB 318 Requires New Training Guidelines for School Resource Officers Bill Passed - House (92 - 2)
April 9, 2018 MD HB 16 Establishes Communication Campaign for Near Completers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 48)
April 5, 2018 MD SB 639 Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49)
April 5, 2018 KS SB 423 Appropriates Funds for Department of Education and Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
April 5, 2018 KS SB 423 Appropriates Funds for Department of Education and Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
April 4, 2018 TN SB 2260 Reorganizes University of Tennessee Board of Trustees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
April 4, 2018 TN HB 2331 Requires Schools to Report on Use of Corporal Punishment Bill Passed - House (80 - 1)
April 3, 2018 IA HF 2467 Establishes Guidelines for Handling Students' Lunch Debt Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
March 29, 2018 TN SB 2260 Reorganizes University of Tennessee Board of Trustees Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
March 29, 2018 DE SB 85 Requires Report on School Suspensions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
March 28, 2018 OK HB 1010 Increases Taxes to Provide More Funding for Education Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
March 27, 2018 MD HB 420 Authorizes Certain In-State Students to Receive Financial Aid Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
March 26, 2018 NJ S 699 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
March 26, 2018 OK HB 1010 Increases Taxes to Provide More Funding for Education Bill Passed - House (79 - 19)
March 25, 2018 MS HB 1593 Appropriates Funds for Educational Television Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 16)
March 22, 2018 MI SB 727 Amends Certain Education Teaching Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 22, 2018 MI SB 727 Amends Certain Education Teaching Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
March 21, 2018 IA SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 21, 2018 IA SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
March 21, 2018 MI SB 727 Amends Certain Education Teaching Requirements Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
March 21, 2018 MI SB 727 Amends Certain Education Teaching Requirements Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
March 20, 2018 IA SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
March 20, 2018 IA SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
March 19, 2018 TN SB 2661 Requires Public Schools to Display National Motto Bill Passed - House (81 - 8)
March 16, 2018 ID H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
March 16, 2018 KY HB 604 Requires Mental Health Workers in Schools Bill Passed - House (81 - 1)
March 15, 2018 AR HB 1008 Expands Tuition Savings Plan Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
March 14, 2018 IN HB 1426 Amends Education Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 25)
March 14, 2018 National HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
March 14, 2018 AR HB 1008 Expands Tuition Savings Plan Bill Passed - House (62 - 16)
March 9, 2018 ID H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
March 8, 2018 IN HB 1399 Requires Teacher Licenses for Math and Science Courses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 11)
March 8, 2018 KS HB 2757 Authorizes Public School Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (73 - 48)
March 8, 2018 MI HB 5531 Requires Expulsion of Students Convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - House (93 - 14)
March 5, 2018 IN SB 387 Authorizes Teachers without Licenses in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - House (35 - 12)
March 3, 2018 OR SB 1563 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
March 3, 2018 OR SB 1563 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
Feb. 27, 2018 SD HB 1199 Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
Feb. 26, 2018 NJ S 414 Requires Employment Background Checks for Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
Feb. 21, 2018 FL HB 839 Requires Schools to Display State Motto Bill Passed - House (97 - 10)
Feb. 20, 2018 WV SB 267 Increases State Public Worker Salaries Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37)
Feb. 20, 2018 WV SB 267 Increases State Public Worker Salaries Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37)
Feb. 20, 2018 OR HB 4113 Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
Feb. 15, 2018 AZ HB 2172 Authorizes Non-Lethal Weapons on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
Feb. 13, 2018 SD HB 1199 Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
Feb. 9, 2018 National HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 186)
Feb. 9, 2018 NC HB 90 Limits Public School Class Sizes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 5)
Feb. 9, 2018 National HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28)
Feb. 8, 2018 IA SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 8, 2018 IA SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
Feb. 6, 2018 IN SB 387 Authorizes Teachers without Licenses in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
Feb. 2, 2018 WV SB 267 Increases State Public Worker Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Feb. 2, 2018 WV SB 267 Increases State Public Worker Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
Jan. 19, 2018 WA SB 5766 Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
Jan. 18, 2018 MI SB 574 Authorizes Charter Schools to Collect Revenues From Enhancement Millages Bill Passed - House (55 - 52)
Oct. 18, 2017 PA HB 178 Amends Public School Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 81)
Oct. 18, 2017 MI SB 574 Authorizes Charter Schools to Collect Revenues From Enhancement Millages Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
Sept. 19, 2017 RI S 608 Requires Notification of Sex Offenders Living Near School Bus Stops Bill Passed - House (61 - 0)
Sept. 5, 2017 CA AB 841 Restricts Marketing of Unhealthy Foods in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
Aug. 28, 2017 IL SB 1947 Establishes School Funding Plan Bill Passed - House (73 - 34)
Aug. 13, 2017 IL SB 1 Specifies School Funding Reallocation Veto Override Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
Aug. 13, 2017 IL SB 1 Specifies School Funding Reallocation Veto Override Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
July 26, 2017 TX SB 3 Amends Regulations of Public and Charter School Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
July 25, 2017 TX SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
July 9, 2017 PA HB 97 Authorizes Budget Cuts for Low-Performing Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
July 9, 2017 PA HB 97 Authorizes Budget Cuts for Low-Performing Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
June 22, 2017 OH HB 170 Authorizes Students to Take Computer Science in Lieu of Algebra II Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
June 22, 2017 OH HB 170 Authorizes Students to Take Computer Science in Lieu of Algebra II Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
June 21, 2017 WI AB 299 Authorizes Free Speech on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
June 20, 2017 MI SB 401 Amends Teacher Retirement Plans Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
June 19, 2017 NJ S 3067 Prohibits Transgender Discrimination in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
June 15, 2017 MI HB 4647 Establishes Teacher Pension Plan Bill Passed - House (55 - 52)
June 15, 2017 MI SB 401 Amends Teacher Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
June 6, 2017 RI S 608 Requires Notification of Sex Offenders Living Near School Bus Stops Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
June 1, 2017 NH SB 8 Authorizes Overpopulated Public Schools to Transfer Students Elsewhere Bill Passed - House (210 - 147)
May 31, 2017 IL SB 1 Specifies School Funding Reallocation Bill Passed - House (60 - 52)
May 31, 2017 IL SB 1351 Establishes Laws Governing Student Loan Servicers Bill Passed - House (63 - 48)
May 30, 2017 CA SB 328 Amends School Start Time Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/09 SB 18-272 Establishes School Grants for Suicide-Prevention Training Bill Passed - House (53 - 12)
5/07 SB 18-272 Establishes School Grants for Suicide-Prevention Training Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 8)
5/02 S 28 Amends Rule Related to Time-Off Credits For Religious Exemption Bill Passed - House (84 - 20)
5/02 S 2350 Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
5/02 SB 3249 Requires LGBT History in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
5/02 A 10475 Prohibits State Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (133 - 1)
5/02 A 10475 Prohibits State Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (133 - 1)
4/27 SB 1600 Amends General Appropriations Bill Passed - House (63 - 31)
4/25 SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (91 - 59)
4/25 S 2353 Requires Educators to Report Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
4/23 HB 2114 Requires Scholarship Students to Complete 30 Credits per Year Bill Failed - House (41 - 46)
4/19 SB 2546 Authorizes Graduate Research Assistant Unions Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 19)
4/19 HB 2563 Establishes Free Speech Policy for College Campuses Conference Report Adopted - Senate (17 - 13)
4/18 SB 4 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
4/18 HB 18-1391 Establishes Requirements for Sexual Misconduct Policies Bill Passed - House (34 - 28)
4/17 SB 18-083 Establishes Educational Tax Credit System Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
4/14 HB 287 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 4)
4/14 HB 339 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - House (22 - 18)
4/12 S 699 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (49 - 24)
4/12 A 764 Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
4/11 SB 82 Requires Schools to Contact Parents for Unexcused Absences Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
4/11 HB 360 Requires Additional Anti-Bullying Policies in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
4/11 HB 318 Requires New Training Guidelines for School Resource Officers Bill Passed - House (92 - 2)
4/09 HB 16 Establishes Communication Campaign for Near Completers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (90 - 48)
4/05 SB 639 Establishes Disciplinary Hearing Procedures for Public School Employees Veto Override Passed - House (89 - 49)
4/05 SB 423 Appropriates Funds for Department of Education and Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
4/05 SB 423 Appropriates Funds for Department of Education and Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
4/04 SB 2260 Reorganizes University of Tennessee Board of Trustees Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 7)
4/04 HB 2331 Requires Schools to Report on Use of Corporal Punishment Bill Passed - House (80 - 1)
4/03 HF 2467 Establishes Guidelines for Handling Students' Lunch Debt Bill Passed - Senate (48 - 0)
3/29 SB 2260 Reorganizes University of Tennessee Board of Trustees Bill Passed - House (51 - 41)
3/29 SB 85 Requires Report on School Suspensions Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
3/28 HB 1010 Increases Taxes to Provide More Funding for Education Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 10)
3/27 HB 420 Authorizes Certain In-State Students to Receive Financial Aid Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 16)
3/26 S 699 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
3/26 HB 1010 Increases Taxes to Provide More Funding for Education Bill Passed - House (79 - 19)
3/25 HB 1593 Appropriates Funds for Educational Television Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 16)
3/22 SB 727 Amends Certain Education Teaching Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/22 SB 727 Amends Certain Education Teaching Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
3/21 SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/21 SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
3/21 SB 727 Amends Certain Education Teaching Requirements Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
3/21 SB 727 Amends Certain Education Teaching Requirements Bill Passed - House (85 - 23)
3/20 SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
3/20 SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
3/19 SB 2661 Requires Public Schools to Display National Motto Bill Passed - House (81 - 8)
3/16 H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
3/16 HB 604 Requires Mental Health Workers in Schools Bill Passed - House (81 - 1)
3/15 HB 1008 Expands Tuition Savings Plan Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 5)
3/14 HB 1426 Amends Education Standards Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 25)
3/14 HR 4909 STOP School Violence Act of 2018 Bill Passed - House (407 - 10)
3/14 HB 1008 Expands Tuition Savings Plan Bill Passed - House (62 - 16)
3/09 H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
3/08 HB 1399 Requires Teacher Licenses for Math and Science Courses Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 11)
3/08 HB 2757 Authorizes Public School Teacher Tenure Bill Passed - House (73 - 48)
3/08 HB 5531 Requires Expulsion of Students Convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct Bill Passed - House (93 - 14)
3/05 SB 387 Authorizes Teachers without Licenses in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - House (35 - 12)
3/03 SB 1563 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
3/03 SB 1563 Authorizes Undocumented Students to Continue Receiving Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (36 - 22)
2/27 HB 1199 Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities Bill Failed - Senate (16 - 18)
2/26 S 414 Requires Employment Background Checks for Teachers Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
2/21 HB 839 Requires Schools to Display State Motto Bill Passed - House (97 - 10)
2/20 SB 267 Increases State Public Worker Salaries Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37)
2/20 SB 267 Increases State Public Worker Salaries Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 37)
2/20 HB 4113 Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
2/15 HB 2172 Authorizes Non-Lethal Weapons on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (35 - 22)
2/13 HB 1199 Prohibits Collective Bargaining at Public Universities Bill Passed - House (37 - 28)
2/09 HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - House (240 - 186)
2/09 HB 90 Limits Public School Class Sizes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 5)
2/09 HR 1892 Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (71 - 28)
2/08 SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/08 SF 2117 Amends Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2018 Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 21)
2/06 SB 387 Authorizes Teachers without Licenses in Certain Circumstances Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 12)
2/02 SB 267 Increases State Public Worker Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
2/02 SB 267 Increases State Public Worker Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
1/19 SB 5766 Requires School Districts to Adopt Transgender Student Policies and Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 18)
1/18 SB 574 Authorizes Charter Schools to Collect Revenues From Enhancement Millages Bill Passed - House (55 - 52)
10/18 HB 178 Amends Public School Code Concurrence Vote Passed - House (105 - 81)
10/18 SB 574 Authorizes Charter Schools to Collect Revenues From Enhancement Millages Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
9/19 S 608 Requires Notification of Sex Offenders Living Near School Bus Stops Bill Passed - House (61 - 0)
9/05 AB 841 Restricts Marketing of Unhealthy Foods in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 13)
8/28 SB 1947 Establishes School Funding Plan Bill Passed - House (73 - 34)
8/13 SB 1 Specifies School Funding Reallocation Veto Override Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
8/13 SB 1 Specifies School Funding Reallocation Veto Override Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
7/26 SB 3 Amends Regulations of Public and Charter School Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
7/25 SB 2 Appropriates Funds for Private School Scholarships Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 12)
7/09 HB 97 Authorizes Budget Cuts for Low-Performing Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
7/09 HB 97 Authorizes Budget Cuts for Low-Performing Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
6/22 HB 170 Authorizes Students to Take Computer Science in Lieu of Algebra II Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
6/22 HB 170 Authorizes Students to Take Computer Science in Lieu of Algebra II Bill Passed - House (83 - 12)
6/21 AB 299 Authorizes Free Speech on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (61 - 36)
6/20 SB 401 Amends Teacher Retirement Plans Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
6/19 S 3067 Prohibits Transgender Discrimination in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
6/15 HB 4647 Establishes Teacher Pension Plan Bill Passed - House (55 - 52)
6/15 SB 401 Amends Teacher Retirement Plans Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 17)
6/06 S 608 Requires Notification of Sex Offenders Living Near School Bus Stops Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 0)
6/01 SB 8 Authorizes Overpopulated Public Schools to Transfer Students Elsewhere Bill Passed - House (210 - 147)
5/31 SB 1 Specifies School Funding Reallocation Bill Passed - House (60 - 52)
5/31 SB 1351 Establishes Laws Governing Student Loan Servicers Bill Passed - House (63 - 48)
5/30 SB 328 Amends School Start Time Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 13)

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