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.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
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)
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 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 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 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 1, 2015 CA SB 172 Repeals Requirement for High School Seniors to Pass Exit Exam Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
June 1, 2015 CA SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
May 29, 2015 IL HB 4151 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 24)
May 29, 2015 NV SB 302 Establishes Education Savings Account Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
May 28, 2015 AL SB 71 Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations Bill Passed - House (68 - 26)
May 27, 2015 IL HB 4151 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
May 26, 2015 MI HB 4041 Amends Requirements to Receive Certain Assistance Funds Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
May 22, 2015 NV AB 448 Authorizes Conversion of a Public School to a Charter School Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
May 21, 2015 OR SB 553 Limits School Disciplinary Policies Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
May 20, 2015 IL SB 100 Establishes Educational Disciplinary Guidelines Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
May 17, 2015 MN HF 844 Prohibits Students from Using Facilities Designated for the Opposite Sex Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 59)
May 13, 2015 MI SB 139 Limits Fund-Raising Activities Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
May 7, 2015 AL HB 236 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports Bill Passed - House (52 - 43)
May 4, 2015 CO SB 14 Authorizes Caregivers to Administer Medical Marijuana Treatments to Certain Students on School Property Bill Passed - House (51 - 13)
May 1, 2015 CO SB 213 Limits Immunity for Public Schools in Incidents of School Violence Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
April 29, 2015 IN HB 1001 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 30)
April 29, 2015 IN HB 1001 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
April 29, 2015 MI HB 4115 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 50)
April 25, 2015 MN HF 844 2015-2017 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 61)
April 23, 2015 IL SB 100 Establishes Educational Disciplinary Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
April 21, 2015 MT SB 107 Authorizes New High School Districts Bill Failed - House (48 - 52)
April 21, 2015 NV AB 375 Prohibits Students from Using Facilities Designated for the Opposite Sex Bill Failed - House (20 - 22)
April 20, 2015 MT SB 410 Authorizes Tax Credits for Donations to Certain Educational Programs and Student Scholarship Organizations Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
April 16, 2015 OK SB 782 Authorizes Charter Schools in All Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 7)
April 16, 2015 ND SB 2151 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education Grants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
April 15, 2015 ND SB 2151 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education Grants Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
April 15, 2015 NH SB 101 Prohibits the Requirement of Common Core Standards Bill Passed - House (202 - 138)
April 15, 2015 CO HB 1165 Requires Approval to Use Native American School Mascots Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
April 15, 2015 NV AB 121 Prohibits Disciplining Students for Simulating Firearms Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
April 13, 2015 MD HB 70 2015-2016 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
April 13, 2015 MD HB 70 2015-2016 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 49)
April 13, 2015 MT HB 284 Prohibits Bullying in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 42)
April 13, 2015 MD SB 183 Amends Funding for the Geographic Cost of Education Index Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
April 13, 2015 MD SB 183 Amends Funding for the Geographic Cost of Education Index Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
April 8, 2015 MO HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
April 8, 2015 MO HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 49)
April 7, 2015 NV AB 165 Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
April 6, 2015 WA SB 6088 Amends Class Size-Related Funding Calculation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
April 2, 2015 OK SB 711 Encourages School Districts to Report Alleged Criminal Actions of Teachers Bill Passed - House (61 - 29)
April 2, 2015 MO HB 499 Requires Public Schools to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance in English Bill Passed - House (118 - 30)
April 1, 2015 AZ SB 1332 Expands Empowerment Scholarship to Include Native Americans Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
April 1, 2015 AK SB 64 Amends School Bond Debt Reimbursement Bill Passed - House (23 - 15)
April 1, 2015 NV AB 165 Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
March 31, 2015 NY S 2006B Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 55)
March 31, 2015 MT SB 410 Authorizes Tax Credits for Donations to Certain Educational Programs and Student Scholarship Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
March 31, 2015 TX SB 6 Establishes Rating System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
March 31, 2015 AL SB 71 Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 31, 2015 NY S 2006B Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
March 30, 2015 TN SB 999 Establishes The Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
March 27, 2015 FL HB 7037 Appropriates Funds for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (75 - 35)
March 26, 2015 OK HB 1749 Prohibits Payroll Deductions for Public Employee Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 16)
March 26, 2015 MI HB 4041 Requires School Attendance to Receive Assistance Funds Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
March 26, 2015 OH HB 2 Amends Charter School Regulations Bill Passed - House (70 - 25)
March 25, 2015 IA SF 227 Amends the School Year Start Date Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
March 25, 2015 KS HB 2326 Amends Teacher Contracts Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 27)
March 25, 2015 CO SB 45 Establishes Tax Credits for Private School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
March 20, 2015 ND HB 1195 Authorizes Concealed Firearms in Schools Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 28)
March 19, 2015 AL SB 191 Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
March 18, 2015 AL SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
March 18, 2015 MO HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 45)
March 18, 2015 AL SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
March 16, 2015 ID S 1096 Establishes Parental Rights in Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
March 14, 2015 WV HB 2005 Expands Certain Teacher Certification Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 37)
March 14, 2015 WV SB 286 Amends Exemption Procedure for Compulsory Immunizations Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
March 14, 2015 WV HB 2934 Requires a Review of State Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
March 13, 2015 KS SB 7 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 57)
March 13, 2015 AR HB 1377 Authorizes the Use of Waivers by Public School Districts Bill Passed - House (58 - 18)
March 12, 2015 MO HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
March 12, 2015 AR SB 366 Authorizes Additional Compensations to Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
March 11, 2015 MO HB 187 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (111 - 41)
March 11, 2015 WA SB 5748 Requires the Use of Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
March 11, 2015 GA SR 80 Revises Advanced Placement Test in U.S. History Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
March 10, 2015 MS SB 2258 Authorizes Department of Education to Investigate Cheating Allegations Bill Passed - House (65 - 53)
March 10, 2015 AL SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
March 9, 2015 AZ HB 2246 Authorizes Parents to Opt-Out of Standardized Tests for Their Children Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
March 5, 2015 NV SB 119 Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
March 5, 2015 GA SR 287 Authorizes Residents to Vote on New School District Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
March 5, 2015 GA SB 133 Establishes Opportunity School District Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
March 5, 2015 MN HF 2 Amends Requirements for Teacher Layoffs Bill Passed - House (70 - 63)
March 4, 2015 PA HB 530 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (118 - 78)
March 3, 2015 AR HB 1242 Amends Requirements for the Creation of a New School District Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
March 3, 2015 SD SB 89 Requires School Safety Plans and Lockdown Drills Bill Failed - House (30 - 37)
Date No. Title Outcome
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)
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 HR 5 Student Success Act Bill Passed - House (218 - 213)
7/07 SB 21 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 15)
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)
6/23 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)
6/01 SB 172 Repeals Requirement for High School Seniors to Pass Exit Exam Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
6/01 SB 707 Prohibits Concealed Firearms on School Grounds Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
5/29 HB 4151 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 24)
5/29 SB 302 Establishes Education Savings Account Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
5/28 SB 71 Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations Bill Passed - House (68 - 26)
5/27 HB 4151 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (66 - 47)
5/26 HB 4041 Amends Requirements to Receive Certain Assistance Funds Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
5/22 AB 448 Authorizes Conversion of a Public School to a Charter School Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
5/21 SB 553 Limits School Disciplinary Policies Bill Passed - House (40 - 19)
5/20 SB 100 Establishes Educational Disciplinary Guidelines Bill Passed - House (73 - 41)
5/17 HF 844 Prohibits Students from Using Facilities Designated for the Opposite Sex Conference Report Adopted - House (71 - 59)
5/13 SB 139 Limits Fund-Raising Activities Bill Passed - House (66 - 43)
5/07 HB 236 Authorizes Home-Schooled Students to Participate in Public School Sports Bill Passed - House (52 - 43)
5/04 SB 14 Authorizes Caregivers to Administer Medical Marijuana Treatments to Certain Students on School Property Bill Passed - House (51 - 13)
5/01 SB 213 Limits Immunity for Public Schools in Incidents of School Violence Bill Passed - House (43 - 21)
4/29 HB 1001 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (69 - 30)
4/29 HB 1001 2015-2017 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (40 - 9)
4/29 HB 4115 2015-2016 Education Budget Bill Passed - House (60 - 50)
4/25 HF 844 2015-2017 Biennium Education Budget Bill Passed - House (69 - 61)
4/23 SB 100 Establishes Educational Disciplinary Guidelines Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 16)
4/21 SB 107 Authorizes New High School Districts Bill Failed - House (48 - 52)
4/21 AB 375 Prohibits Students from Using Facilities Designated for the Opposite Sex Bill Failed - House (20 - 22)
4/20 SB 410 Authorizes Tax Credits for Donations to Certain Educational Programs and Student Scholarship Organizations Bill Passed - House (59 - 41)
4/16 SB 782 Authorizes Charter Schools in All Districts Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (35 - 7)
4/16 SB 2151 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education Grants Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 14)
4/15 SB 2151 Appropriates Funds for Early Childhood Education Grants Bill Passed - House (50 - 41)
4/15 SB 101 Prohibits the Requirement of Common Core Standards Bill Passed - House (202 - 138)
4/15 HB 1165 Requires Approval to Use Native American School Mascots Bill Passed - House (33 - 32)
4/15 AB 121 Prohibits Disciplining Students for Simulating Firearms Bill Passed - House (24 - 17)
4/13 HB 70 2015-2016 Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (33 - 13)
4/13 HB 70 2015-2016 Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 49)
4/13 HB 284 Prohibits Bullying in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 42)
4/13 SB 183 Amends Funding for the Geographic Cost of Education Index Bill Passed - House (88 - 51)
4/13 SB 183 Amends Funding for the Geographic Cost of Education Index Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 15)
4/08 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 9)
4/08 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Veto Override Passed - House (111 - 49)
4/07 AB 165 Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (11 - 9)
4/06 SB 6088 Amends Class Size-Related Funding Calculation Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 22)
4/02 SB 711 Encourages School Districts to Report Alleged Criminal Actions of Teachers Bill Passed - House (61 - 29)
4/02 HB 499 Requires Public Schools to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance in English Bill Passed - House (118 - 30)
4/01 SB 1332 Expands Empowerment Scholarship to Include Native Americans Bill Passed - House (31 - 28)
4/01 SB 64 Amends School Bond Debt Reimbursement Bill Passed - House (23 - 15)
4/01 AB 165 Establishes the Nevada Educational Choice Scholarship Program Bill Passed - House (25 - 17)
3/31 S 2006B Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program Bill Passed - House (92 - 55)
3/31 SB 410 Authorizes Tax Credits for Donations to Certain Educational Programs and Student Scholarship Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
3/31 SB 6 Establishes Rating System for Schools Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 10)
3/31 SB 71 Increases Cumulative Cap on Tax Credits Available for Scholarship Donations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/31 S 2006B Establishes Annual Teacher Evaluation Program Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 26)
3/30 SB 999 Establishes The Tennessee Choice and Opportunity Scholarship Program Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
3/27 HB 7037 Appropriates Funds for Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (75 - 35)
3/26 HB 1749 Prohibits Payroll Deductions for Public Employee Organizations Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 16)
3/26 HB 4041 Requires School Attendance to Receive Assistance Funds Bill Passed - House (74 - 36)
3/26 HB 2 Amends Charter School Regulations Bill Passed - House (70 - 25)
3/25 SF 227 Amends the School Year Start Date Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (28 - 22)
3/25 HB 2326 Amends Teacher Contracts Bill Failed - Senate (13 - 27)
3/25 SB 45 Establishes Tax Credits for Private School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
3/20 HB 1195 Authorizes Concealed Firearms in Schools Bill Failed - Senate (17 - 28)
3/19 SB 191 Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 5)
3/18 SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
3/18 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (110 - 45)
3/18 SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (58 - 41)
3/16 S 1096 Establishes Parental Rights in Education Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 12)
3/14 HB 2005 Expands Certain Teacher Certification Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (63 - 37)
3/14 SB 286 Amends Exemption Procedure for Compulsory Immunizations Bill Passed - House (62 - 36)
3/14 HB 2934 Requires a Review of State Education Standards Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 14)
3/13 SB 7 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Education Bill Passed - House (64 - 57)
3/13 HB 1377 Authorizes the Use of Waivers by Public School Districts Bill Passed - House (58 - 18)
3/12 HB 63 Prohibits Superintendents from Serving on Certain School Boards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 3)
3/12 SB 366 Authorizes Additional Compensations to Teachers Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 8)
3/11 HB 187 Prohibits Undocumented Immigrants from Receiving Student Financial Aid Bill Passed - House (111 - 41)
3/11 SB 5748 Requires the Use of Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 23)
3/11 SR 80 Revises Advanced Placement Test in U.S. History Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
3/10 SB 2258 Authorizes Department of Education to Investigate Cheating Allegations Bill Passed - House (65 - 53)
3/10 SB 45 Authorizes Public Charter Schools Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 12)
3/09 HB 2246 Authorizes Parents to Opt-Out of Standardized Tests for Their Children Bill Passed - House (35 - 24)
3/05 SB 119 Exempts Schools from Paying Prevailing Wages Bill Passed - House (23 - 19)
3/05 SR 287 Authorizes Residents to Vote on New School District Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 15)
3/05 SB 133 Establishes Opportunity School District Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 17)
3/05 HF 2 Amends Requirements for Teacher Layoffs Bill Passed - House (70 - 63)
3/04 HB 530 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Passed - House (118 - 78)
3/03 HB 1242 Amends Requirements for the Creation of a New School District Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 6)
3/03 SB 89 Requires School Safety Plans and Lockdown Drills Bill Failed - House (30 - 37)

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