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
April 19, 2016 IA SF 2323 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 18, 2016 TN HB 2248 Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office Bill Passed - House (66 - 22)
April 17, 2016 AK HB 156 Amends Certain Public Education Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
April 13, 2016 OH HB 425 Authorizes Religious Expression in Schools Bill Passed - House (73 - 22)
April 7, 2016 MD HB 172 Amends School Board Nominating Commission Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 50)
April 7, 2016 MO HB 2003 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 7, 2016 AK SB 174 Prohibits the University of Alaska from Regulating Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5)
April 7, 2016 MA S 2220 Increases Spending Cap on Charter School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
March 31, 2016 MD SB 1052 Establishes Consolidated University of Maryland Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
March 30, 2016 MD SB 1052 Establishes Consolidated University of Maryland Bill Passed - House (92 - 44)
March 23, 2016 IA SF 174 Increases K-12 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 41)
March 23, 2016 IA SF 175 Increases K-12 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 41)
March 23, 2016 KS SB 469 Amends Labor Union Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
March 23, 2016 KS SB 469 Amends Labor Union Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
March 22, 2016 MI SB 710 Amends the Detroit Public School System Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
March 22, 2016 AL SB 205 Prohibits Abortion Clinics from being Located Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
March 21, 2016 ID S 1342 Authorizes Bibles in Schools as Educational References Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
March 16, 2016 KS SB 175 Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Student Associations Bill Passed - House (81 - 41)
March 16, 2016 MD SB 706 Establishes Education Credit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
March 16, 2016 KY SB 253 Establishes Public Charter School Pilot Project Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
March 12, 2016 MD HB 1002 Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
March 11, 2016 VA HB 8 Establishes Virtual Public School Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 36)
March 11, 2016 VA HB 8 Establishes Virtual Public School Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17)
March 11, 2016 GA HB 859 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms at Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
March 10, 2016 IN HB 1005 Establishes Regulations Regarding Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 17)
March 10, 2016 WA SB 6194 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 10, 2016 MO HB 2003 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (108 - 46)
March 9, 2016 IN HB 1005 Establishes Regulations Regarding Education Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 43)
March 9, 2016 FL HB 7029 Amends Charter School Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
March 9, 2016 WA SB 6194 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
March 8, 2016 SD SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
March 7, 2016 VA HB 389 Establishes School Choice Program for Children with Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
March 3, 2016 SD HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 29)
March 3, 2016 IN SB 334 Amends School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
March 3, 2016 MS HB 989 Establishes the Mississippi Achievement School District Bill Passed - House (82 - 38)
March 2, 2016 IL SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Veto Override Failed - House (69 - 48)
March 2, 2016 IL SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
March 1, 2016 VA HB 516 Requires Parental Review of Explicit School Books Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
March 1, 2016 AZ HB 2151 Authorizes Teachers to Receive Tax Credits for Purchased School Supplies Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
March 1, 2016 OK HB 2797 Requires Public High Schools to Teach Students about Fetal Development During Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (64 - 12)
Feb. 29, 2016 AK SB 89 Prohibits Schools from Contracting with Abortion Services Providers Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
Feb. 29, 2016 AZ HB 2338 Authorizes Concealed Carry near Schools Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
Feb. 29, 2016 AZ HB 2338 Authorizes Concealed Carry near Schools Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
Feb. 26, 2016 WV HB 4014 Prohibits State Board of Education From Implementing Common Core Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
Feb. 24, 2016 SD SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2016 IN HB 1395 Repeals ISTEP Test Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
Feb. 22, 2016 GA HB 859 Authorizes Concealed Carry at Postsecondary Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (113 - 59)
Feb. 22, 2016 ID S 1248 Repeals the Requirement that Charter Schools Use State Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Feb. 22, 2016 AZ SB 1402 Amends Tax Rate for Property Belonging to Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Feb. 18, 2016 WA SB 6195 Amends Education Funding System Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
Feb. 18, 2016 FL HB 7029 Amends Charter School Regulations Bill Passed - House (79 - 35)
Feb. 18, 2016 FL HB 7043 Establishes Funding Programs Related to Education Bill Passed - House (81 - 31)
Feb. 17, 2016 KY SB 1 Amends Public Education Standard Review Processes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Feb. 16, 2016 SD HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
Feb. 16, 2016 WA SB 6195 Amends Education Funding System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
Feb. 16, 2016 WI AB 873 Requires Open Meetings and Public Records for Interscholastic Athletics Associations Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
Feb. 16, 2016 VA HB 389 Establishes School Choice Program for Children with Disabilities Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
Feb. 15, 2016 VA SJ 6 Authorizes the Board of Education to Establish Charter Schools Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
Feb. 15, 2016 VA HB 1234 Authorizes School Security Officers to Carry Firearms Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
Feb. 10, 2016 WA SB 6443 Repeals Rule Authorizing Use of Bathrooms Consistent with Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
Feb. 9, 2016 VA HB 518 Authorizes Students to Transfer from Certain Schools Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Feb. 9, 2016 SD HB 1112 Repeals Transgender Policies Adopted by High School Sports Associations Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
Feb. 3, 2016 IN HB 1004 Authorizes Higher Wages for Hard-to-Fill Teaching Positions Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
Jan. 28, 2016 IL SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (67 - 42)
Jan. 27, 2016 SD HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
Jan. 27, 2016 RI H 7051 Requires City Council Approval to Establish or Expand a Charter School Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
Jan. 25, 2016 WA HB 2366 Amends Education Funding System Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
Jan. 20, 2016 NE LB 18 Requires a Meningitis Immunization Before Entering Seventh Grade Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (29 - 14)
Jan. 20, 2016 WA SB 6194 Authorizes Commission Oversight for Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
Oct. 21, 2015 National HR 10 Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Reauthorization Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 191)
Sept. 30, 2015 OH HB 2 Amends Charter School Regulations Concurrence Vote Failed - House (34 - 58)
Sept. 11, 2015 CA AB 329 Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
Sept. 10, 2015 CA AB 329 Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
Sept. 1, 2015 CA SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
Sept. 1, 2015 CA SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
July 9, 2015 IL HB 3593 Limits Community College Severance Packages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 34)
July 9, 2015 WA HB 2266 Establishes a Delay on Class Size Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
July 8, 2015 WI SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
July 8, 2015 WI SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
July 8, 2015 National HR 5 Student Success Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 213)
July 7, 2015 WI SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
July 7, 2015 WI SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
July 3, 2015 OR SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
July 2, 2015 OR SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
July 2, 2015 OR SB 895 Requires Schools to Report Immunization Rates Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
June 30, 2015 WA HB 2266 Establishes a Delay on Class Size Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (27 - 17)
June 30, 2015 OR SB 895 Requires Schools to Report Immunization Rates Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
June 25, 2015 OR SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
June 23, 2015 IL HB 3593 Limits Community College Severance Packages Concurrence Vote Failed - House (51 - 44)
June 23, 2015 PA HB 805 Requires Schools to Use Teacher Performance Evaluations Bill Passed - House (100 - 91)
June 23, 2015 PA HB 805 Requires Schools to Use Teacher Performance Evaluations Bill Passed - House (100 - 91)
June 17, 2015 DE HB 50 Authorizes Parents to Opt Children Out of Standardized Tests Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
June 15, 2015 OR HB 2655 Authorizes Parents to Excuse Children from Statewide Assessments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (32 - 28)
June 9, 2015 WI SB 70 Authorizes Certain Officers to Carry Firearms in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
June 3, 2015 AL SB 71 Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 14)
June 2, 2015 MI HB 4041 Amends Requirements to Receive Certain Assistance Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34)
June 2, 2015 LA SB 48 Amends the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students Bill Passed - House (65 - 33)
June 1, 2015 CA SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 1, 2015 CA SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
June 1, 2015 CA SB 172 Repeals Requirement for High School Seniors to Pass Exit Exam Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
4/19 SF 2323 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/18 HB 2248 Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office Bill Passed - House (66 - 22)
4/17 HB 156 Amends Certain Public Education Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
4/13 HB 425 Authorizes Religious Expression in Schools Bill Passed - House (73 - 22)
4/07 HB 172 Amends School Board Nominating Commission Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 50)
4/07 HB 2003 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/07 SB 174 Prohibits the University of Alaska from Regulating Firearms Bill Passed - Senate (13 - 5)
4/07 S 2220 Increases Spending Cap on Charter School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
3/31 SB 1052 Establishes Consolidated University of Maryland Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
3/30 SB 1052 Establishes Consolidated University of Maryland Bill Passed - House (92 - 44)
3/23 SF 174 Increases K-12 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 41)
3/23 SF 175 Increases K-12 Education Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (55 - 41)
3/23 SB 469 Amends Labor Union Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
3/23 SB 469 Amends Labor Union Procedures Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 18)
3/22 SB 710 Amends the Detroit Public School System Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
3/22 SB 205 Prohibits Abortion Clinics from being Located Near Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 6)
3/21 S 1342 Authorizes Bibles in Schools as Educational References Bill Passed - House (54 - 15)
3/16 SB 175 Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Student Associations Bill Passed - House (81 - 41)
3/16 SB 706 Establishes Education Credit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
3/16 SB 253 Establishes Public Charter School Pilot Project Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 9)
3/12 HB 1002 Prohibits Firearms on College Campuses Bill Passed - House (81 - 54)
3/11 HB 8 Establishes Virtual Public School Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 36)
3/11 HB 8 Establishes Virtual Public School Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 17)
3/11 HB 859 Authorizes Concealed Carry of Firearms at Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
3/10 HB 1005 Establishes Regulations Regarding Education Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 17)
3/10 SB 6194 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/10 HB 2003 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (108 - 46)
3/09 HB 1005 Establishes Regulations Regarding Education Conference Report Adopted - House (52 - 43)
3/09 HB 7029 Amends Charter School Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 12)
3/09 SB 6194 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 39)
3/08 SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
3/07 HB 389 Establishes School Choice Program for Children with Disabilities Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 19)
3/03 HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 29)
3/03 SB 334 Amends School Voucher Program Bill Passed - House (60 - 33)
3/03 HB 989 Establishes the Mississippi Achievement School District Bill Passed - House (82 - 38)
3/02 SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Veto Override Failed - House (69 - 48)
3/02 SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 17)
3/01 HB 516 Requires Parental Review of Explicit School Books Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 17)
3/01 HB 2151 Authorizes Teachers to Receive Tax Credits for Purchased School Supplies Bill Passed - House (34 - 24)
3/01 HB 2797 Requires Public High Schools to Teach Students about Fetal Development During Pregnancy Bill Passed - House (64 - 12)
2/29 SB 89 Prohibits Schools from Contracting with Abortion Services Providers Bill Passed - Senate (12 - 7)
2/29 HB 2338 Authorizes Concealed Carry near Schools Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
2/29 HB 2338 Authorizes Concealed Carry near Schools Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
2/26 HB 4014 Prohibits State Board of Education From Implementing Common Core Bill Passed - House (73 - 20)
2/24 SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
2/23 HB 1395 Repeals ISTEP Test Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 10)
2/22 HB 859 Authorizes Concealed Carry at Postsecondary Education Institutions Bill Passed - House (113 - 59)
2/22 S 1248 Repeals the Requirement that Charter Schools Use State Contracts Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
2/22 SB 1402 Amends Tax Rate for Property Belonging to Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
2/18 SB 6195 Amends Education Funding System Bill Passed - House (66 - 31)
2/18 HB 7029 Amends Charter School Regulations Bill Passed - House (79 - 35)
2/18 HB 7043 Establishes Funding Programs Related to Education Bill Passed - House (81 - 31)
2/17 SB 1 Amends Public Education Standard Review Processes Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
2/16 HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 15)
2/16 SB 6195 Amends Education Funding System Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
2/16 AB 873 Requires Open Meetings and Public Records for Interscholastic Athletics Associations Bill Passed - House (61 - 34)
2/16 HB 389 Establishes School Choice Program for Children with Disabilities Bill Passed - House (53 - 46)
2/15 SJ 6 Authorizes the Board of Education to Establish Charter Schools Bill Failed - Senate (19 - 21)
2/15 HB 1234 Authorizes School Security Officers to Carry Firearms Bill Passed - House (66 - 33)
2/10 SB 6443 Repeals Rule Authorizing Use of Bathrooms Consistent with Gender Identity Bill Failed - Senate (24 - 25)
2/09 HB 518 Authorizes Students to Transfer from Certain Schools Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
2/09 HB 1112 Repeals Transgender Policies Adopted by High School Sports Associations Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
2/03 HB 1004 Authorizes Higher Wages for Hard-to-Fill Teaching Positions Bill Passed - House (57 - 42)
1/28 SB 2043 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (67 - 42)
1/27 HB 1008 Prohibits Students from Using School Restrooms Designated for the Opposite Biological Sex Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
1/27 H 7051 Requires City Council Approval to Establish or Expand a Charter School Bill Passed - House (60 - 11)
1/25 HB 2366 Amends Education Funding System Bill Passed - House (64 - 34)
1/20 LB 18 Requires a Meningitis Immunization Before Entering Seventh Grade Cloture Not Invoked - Senate (29 - 14)
1/20 SB 6194 Authorizes Commission Oversight for Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 20)
10/21 HR 10 Scholarships for Opportunity and Results (SOAR) Reauthorization Act Bill Passed - House (240 - 191)
9/30 HB 2 Amends Charter School Regulations Concurrence Vote Failed - House (34 - 58)
9/11 AB 329 Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
9/10 AB 329 Requires Age Appropriate Comprehensive Sex Education Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 14)
9/01 SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
9/01 SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - House (54 - 24)
7/09 HB 3593 Limits Community College Severance Packages Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 34)
7/09 HB 2266 Establishes a Delay on Class Size Restrictions Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 11)
7/08 SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
7/08 SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - House (52 - 46)
7/08 HR 5 Student Success Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 213)
7/07 SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
7/07 SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
7/03 SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (17 - 12)
7/02 SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - House (34 - 25)
7/02 SB 895 Requires Schools to Report Immunization Rates Bill Passed - House (39 - 21)
6/30 HB 2266 Establishes a Delay on Class Size Restrictions Bill Failed - Senate (27 - 17)
6/30 SB 895 Requires Schools to Report Immunization Rates Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 10)
6/25 SB 932 Authorizes Financial Aid for Undocumented Students Bill Passed - Senate (17 - 11)
6/23 HB 3593 Limits Community College Severance Packages Concurrence Vote Failed - House (51 - 44)
6/23 HB 805 Requires Schools to Use Teacher Performance Evaluations Bill Passed - House (100 - 91)
6/23 HB 805 Requires Schools to Use Teacher Performance Evaluations Bill Passed - House (100 - 91)
6/17 HB 50 Authorizes Parents to Opt Children Out of Standardized Tests Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 7)
6/15 HB 2655 Authorizes Parents to Excuse Children from Statewide Assessments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (32 - 28)
6/09 SB 70 Authorizes Certain Officers to Carry Firearms in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 11)
6/03 SB 71 Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 14)
6/02 HB 4041 Amends Requirements to Receive Certain Assistance Funds Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 34)
6/02 SB 48 Amends the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students Bill Passed - House (65 - 33)
6/01 SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/01 SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
6/01 SB 172 Repeals Requirement for High School Seniors to Pass Exit Exam Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)

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