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
June 6, 2018 NC HB 514 Authorizes Municipalities to Form Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 53)
June 4, 2018 NC HB 514 Authorizes Municipalities to Form Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
May 30, 2018 IL SB 2892 Requires Increase in Teacher Salaries Bill Passed - House (65 - 47)
May 29, 2018 CA AB 2160 Defines Playground Aides as Classified Employees Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
May 24, 2018 MI SB 874 Increases Penalties for Failing to Report Child Abuse or Neglect Bill Passed - House (107 - 2)
May 24, 2018 MI HB 6043 Requires School Districts to Report Inappropriate Conduct within 60 Days Bill Passed - House (88 - 21)
May 23, 2018 IL SB 2428 Requires Schools Provide Lunch to All Students Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
May 17, 2018 RI H 7419 Prohibits Advertising of Unhealthy Food and Beverages in Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
May 17, 2018 IL SB 2892 Requires Increase in Teacher Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 16)
May 16, 2018 OH SB 246 Limits Out-of-School Suspensions and Expulsions For Students in Kindergarten to Third Grade (32 - 0)
May 9, 2018 CT HB 5170 Authorizes Schools to Search Student Cell Phones Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
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 NY A 10475 Prohibits State Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (133 - 1)
May 2, 2018 IL SB 3249 Requires LGBT History in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
May 2, 2018 RI S 2350 Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
April 25, 2018 RI S 2353 Requires Educators to Report Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
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 A 764 Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
April 11, 2018 OH HB 360 Requires Additional Anti-Bullying Policies in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
April 11, 2018 OH SB 82 Requires Schools to Contact Parents for Unexcused Absences Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
April 11, 2018 OH HB 318 Requires New Training Guidelines for School Resource Officers Bill Passed - House (92 - 2)
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 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 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 26, 2018 OK HB 1010 Increases Taxes to Provide More Funding for Education Bill Passed - House (79 - 19)
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 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 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 9, 2018 ID H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
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)
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 OR HB 4113 Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
Feb. 9, 2018 NC HB 90 Limits Public School Class Sizes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 5)
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)
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)
Aug. 13, 2017 IL SB 1 Specifies School Funding Reallocation Veto Override Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
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 20, 2017 MI SB 401 Amends Teacher Retirement Plans Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
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 5, 2017 FL HB 989 Authorizes Residents to Challenge School Textbooks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
May 4, 2017 TX HB 22 Amends Education Accountability Standards Bill Tabled - House (97 - 46)
May 2, 2017 NE LB 427 Requires Schools to Accommodate Pregnant and Parenting Students Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
April 26, 2017 IL HB 2977 Requires Public Schools to Provide Cursive Writing Courses Bill Passed - House (67 - 48)
April 25, 2017 PA HB 97 Prohibits Failing Students from Continuing Online Charter School Bill Passed - House (108 - 84)
April 20, 2017 FL HB 989 Authorizes Parents to Object to Instructional Material Bill Passed - House (94 - 25)
April 6, 2017 MD HB 978 Requires Improvement and Accountability Programs for Public Schools Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 6, 2017 MD HB 978 Requires Improvement and Accountability Programs for Public Schools Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 50)
April 6, 2017 MO HB 2 Appropriates Education Funds Bill Passed - House (119 - 34)
March 30, 2017 TX SB 3 Appropriates State Funds for Education in Non-Rural Areas Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
March 29, 2017 KY HB 128 Establishes Regulations for Elective Courses on Religious Literature Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
March 24, 2017 MD HB 978 Requires Improvement and Accountability Programs for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
March 23, 2017 FL SB 436 Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Expression in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
March 17, 2017 NM HB 241 Establishes New Standards of Evaluation for Teachers Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 31)
March 17, 2017 NM SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - House (60 - 0)
March 15, 2017 KY HB 520 Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43)
March 15, 2017 KY HB 520 Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
March 15, 2017 KY SB 1 Amends State Educational Standards Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
March 10, 2017 MD HB 978 Requires Improvement and Accountability Programs for Public Schools Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
March 9, 2017 NM SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
March 6, 2017 KY SB 17 Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
March 3, 2017 WY HB 236 Reduces the Education Budget Concurrence Vote Failed - House (9 - 51)
March 3, 2017 KY HB 520 Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
March 1, 2017 WY HB 236 Reduces the Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
Feb. 23, 2017 NH SB 8 Authorizes Overpopulated Public Schools to Transfer Students Elsewhere Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
Feb. 22, 2017 WA HB 1843 Amends Public Education Funding Formula Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
Feb. 15, 2017 KY SB 1 Amends State Educational Standards Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Feb. 7, 2017 WY HB 236 Reduces the Education Budget Bill Passed - House (43 - 16)
Feb. 6, 2017 IA SF 166 Authorizes School Funding Increase of 1.11 Percent Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
Feb. 2, 2017 IA SF 166 Authorizes School Funding Increase of 1.11 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
Jan. 24, 2017 VA HB 1578 Authorizes Home-schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
June 9, 2016 MI HB 5384 Appropriates Funds for New Detroit School District Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 54)
June 8, 2016 MI HB 5384 Appropriates Funds for New Detroit School District Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 18)
May 10, 2016 IL SB 231 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
May 5, 2016 AK HB 156 Amends Certain Public Education Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (21 - 18)
May 4, 2016 AK HB 156 Amends Certain Public Education Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 4)
April 25, 2016 LA HB 863 Prohibits Schools from Holding Membership in Certain Associations or Organizations Bill Failed - House (33 - 51)
April 25, 2016 MN HF 2749 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - House (84 - 46)
April 17, 2016 AK HB 156 Amends Certain Public Education Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)
Date No. Title Outcome
6/06 HB 514 Authorizes Municipalities to Form Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 53)
6/04 HB 514 Authorizes Municipalities to Form Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 18)
5/30 SB 2892 Requires Increase in Teacher Salaries Bill Passed - House (65 - 47)
5/29 AB 2160 Defines Playground Aides as Classified Employees Bill Passed - House (51 - 26)
5/24 SB 874 Increases Penalties for Failing to Report Child Abuse or Neglect Bill Passed - House (107 - 2)
5/24 HB 6043 Requires School Districts to Report Inappropriate Conduct within 60 Days Bill Passed - House (88 - 21)
5/23 SB 2428 Requires Schools Provide Lunch to All Students Bill Passed - House (66 - 44)
5/17 H 7419 Prohibits Advertising of Unhealthy Food and Beverages in Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 10)
5/17 SB 2892 Requires Increase in Teacher Salaries Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 16)
5/16 SB 246 Limits Out-of-School Suspensions and Expulsions For Students in Kindergarten to Third Grade (32 - 0)
5/09 HB 5170 Authorizes Schools to Search Student Cell Phones Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
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 A 10475 Prohibits State Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - House (133 - 1)
5/02 SB 3249 Requires LGBT History in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 18)
5/02 S 2350 Prohibits Advertising Unhealthy Food in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 1)
4/25 S 2353 Requires Educators to Report Sexual Abuse Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 0)
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 A 764 Requires Panic Alarms in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (66 - 6)
4/11 HB 360 Requires Additional Anti-Bullying Policies in Public Schools Bill Passed - House (69 - 27)
4/11 SB 82 Requires Schools to Contact Parents for Unexcused Absences Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 0)
4/11 HB 318 Requires New Training Guidelines for School Resource Officers Bill Passed - House (92 - 2)
4/05 SB 423 Appropriates Funds for Department of Education and Board of Regents Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 18)
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 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)
3/26 HB 1010 Increases Taxes to Provide More Funding for Education Bill Passed - House (79 - 19)
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 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)
3/19 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)
3/09 H 665 Increases Penalties for Threats Against Schools Bill Passed - House (52 - 12)
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)
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 HB 4113 Requires School Districts to Bargain About Class Size Bill Passed - House (33 - 25)
2/09 HB 90 Limits Public School Class Sizes Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 5)
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)
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)
8/13 SB 1 Specifies School Funding Reallocation Veto Override Passed - Senate (38 - 19)
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)
6/20 SB 401 Amends Teacher Retirement Plans Bill Passed - House (55 - 51)
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)
5/05 HB 989 Authorizes Residents to Challenge School Textbooks Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 17)
5/04 HB 22 Amends Education Accountability Standards Bill Tabled - House (97 - 46)
5/02 LB 427 Requires Schools to Accommodate Pregnant and Parenting Students Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
4/26 HB 2977 Requires Public Schools to Provide Cursive Writing Courses Bill Passed - House (67 - 48)
4/25 HB 97 Prohibits Failing Students from Continuing Online Charter School Bill Passed - House (108 - 84)
4/20 HB 989 Authorizes Parents to Object to Instructional Material Bill Passed - House (94 - 25)
4/06 HB 978 Requires Improvement and Accountability Programs for Public Schools Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/06 HB 978 Requires Improvement and Accountability Programs for Public Schools Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 50)
4/06 HB 2 Appropriates Education Funds Bill Passed - House (119 - 34)
3/30 SB 3 Appropriates State Funds for Education in Non-Rural Areas Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 13)
3/29 HB 128 Establishes Regulations for Elective Courses on Religious Literature Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 4)
3/24 HB 978 Requires Improvement and Accountability Programs for Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
3/23 SB 436 Prohibits Discrimination Against Religious Expression in Schools Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 13)
3/17 HB 241 Establishes New Standards of Evaluation for Teachers Veto Override Failed - House (36 - 31)
3/17 SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - House (60 - 0)
3/15 HB 520 Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky Concurrence Vote Passed - House (53 - 43)
3/15 HB 520 Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
3/15 SB 1 Amends State Educational Standards Bill Passed - House (94 - 0)
3/10 HB 978 Requires Improvement and Accountability Programs for Public Schools Bill Passed - House (91 - 46)
3/09 SB 374 Prohibits Public Shaming of Students Who Can't Pay for Lunch Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
3/06 SB 17 Authorizes Expression of Religious or Political Viewpoints in Public Schools Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 3)
3/03 HB 236 Reduces the Education Budget Concurrence Vote Failed - House (9 - 51)
3/03 HB 520 Authorizes Charter Schools to Operate in Kentucky Bill Passed - House (56 - 39)
3/01 HB 236 Reduces the Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 5)
2/23 SB 8 Authorizes Overpopulated Public Schools to Transfer Students Elsewhere Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 9)
2/22 HB 1843 Amends Public Education Funding Formula Bill Passed - House (52 - 45)
2/15 SB 1 Amends State Educational Standards Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
2/07 HB 236 Reduces the Education Budget Bill Passed - House (43 - 16)
2/06 SF 166 Authorizes School Funding Increase of 1.11 Percent Bill Passed - House (55 - 40)
2/02 SF 166 Authorizes School Funding Increase of 1.11 Percent Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 21)
1/24 HB 1578 Authorizes Home-schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports Bill Passed - House (60 - 38)
6/09 HB 5384 Appropriates Funds for New Detroit School District Concurrence Vote Passed - House (55 - 54)
6/08 HB 5384 Appropriates Funds for New Detroit School District Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 18)
5/10 SB 231 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
5/05 HB 156 Amends Certain Public Education Regulations Conference Report Adopted - House (21 - 18)
5/04 HB 156 Amends Certain Public Education Regulations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (14 - 4)
4/25 HB 863 Prohibits Schools from Holding Membership in Certain Associations or Organizations Bill Failed - House (33 - 51)
4/25 HF 2749 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - House (84 - 46)
4/17 HB 156 Amends Certain Public Education Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (15 - 5)

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