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. 7, 2016 NJ A 12 Restructures Certain State Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 27)
Oct. 7, 2016 NJ A 12 Restructures Certain State Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
Sept. 28, 2016 National HR 5325 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (342 - 85)
Sept. 28, 2016 National HR 5325 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act Bill Passed - Senate (72 - 26)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO SB 641 Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments Veto Override Passed - House (112 - 38)
Sept. 14, 2016 MO SB 641 Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
Aug. 31, 2016 CA SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
Aug. 26, 2016 CA SB 839 Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
Aug. 25, 2016 CA AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
June 27, 2016 NJ A 12 Restructures Certain State Taxes Bill Passed - House (53 - 23)
June 23, 2016 National HR 2577 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 171)
June 19, 2016 LA HB 38 Limits Individual Income Tax Deductions Bill Failed - House (46 - 55)
June 18, 2016 RI H 7454 Establishes State Budget for 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
June 16, 2016 CA SB 839 Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
June 16, 2016 LA SB 6 Amends Tax Credit Standards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
June 16, 2016 LA SB 10 Prohibits Certain Businesses from Receiving 2 Different Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
June 15, 2016 CA SB 826 Approves Spending Plan for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
June 15, 2016 CA SB 826 Approves Spending Plan for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
June 15, 2016 RI H 7454 Establishes State Budget for 2017 Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
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)
June 6, 2016 AK HB 247 Amends Oil and Gas Tax Credit System Conference Report Adopted - House (21 - 19)
June 6, 2016 AK HB 247 Amends Oil and Gas Tax Credit System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 6)
June 6, 2016 AK SB 128 Amends Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Policy Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
June 3, 2016 NC HB 1030 Establishes State Budget for 2016-2017 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
May 31, 2016 IL SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 31)
May 31, 2016 IL SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 31)
May 31, 2016 SC S 1258 Amends Structure and Funding of Department of Transportation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 10)
May 26, 2016 IL SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (60 - 53)
May 19, 2016 IL HB 4167 Appropriates Funds for Monetary Award Program Grants Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15)
May 17, 2016 IL HB 4167 Appropriates Funds for Monetary Award Program Grants Bill Passed - House (68 - 45)
May 13, 2016 AK HB 247 Amends Oil and Gas Tax Credit System Bill Passed - House (25 - 12)
May 10, 2016 IL SB 231 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
May 5, 2016 AZ HB 2568 Authorizes Developers to Levy Property Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
May 5, 2016 MN HF 3467 Appropriates Bond Proceeds to Public Works Bill Failed - Senate (40 - 26)
May 5, 2016 AR HB 1141 Establishes State Budget for 2016-2017 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
May 4, 2016 LA HB 1148 Prohibits Sanctuary Cities from Receiving Certain State Funds Bill Passed - House (67 - 27)
May 1, 2016 KS SB 249 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
May 1, 2016 KS SB 249 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 59)
April 28, 2016 AL SB 287 Appropriates Funds for New Prison Facilities Bill Passed - House (52 - 33)
April 27, 2016 MN HF 3931 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2017 Bill Passed - House (72 - 54)
April 25, 2016 MN HF 2749 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - House (84 - 46)
April 22, 2016 IA HF 2460 Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 22, 2016 IA HF 2459 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Equal Pay Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
April 21, 2016 TN HB 2248 Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
April 21, 2016 TN HB 2248 Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 21)
April 21, 2016 IL HB 696 Repeals Property Tax in Non-Home Rule Communities Bill Passed - House (71 - 31)
April 20, 2016 IA HF 2460 Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
April 19, 2016 IA SF 2323 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
April 19, 2016 IA HF 2459 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Equal Pay Task Force Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
April 18, 2016 TN HB 2248 Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office Bill Passed - House (66 - 22)
April 14, 2016 AR SB 121 Appropriates Funds to Department of Human Services Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 10)
April 11, 2016 MD SB 1112 Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses Bill Passed - House (76 - 57)
April 8, 2016 MD HB 1013 Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
April 8, 2016 MD SB 1112 Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
April 7, 2016 MD HB 1013 Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 52)
April 7, 2016 MO HB 2003 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
April 7, 2016 AK HB 222 Limits Governor's Ability to Accept Federal Funds Bill Passed - House (26 - 13)
April 7, 2016 MA S 2220 Increases Spending Cap on Charter School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
April 7, 2016 MO HB 2330 Establishes Regulations for Ride Sharing Companies Bill Passed - House (115 - 34)
April 6, 2016 MO SB 623 Increases Motor Fuel Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
April 5, 2016 AL SB 287 Appropriates Funds for New Prison Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
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 22, 2016 KY HB 305 Appropriates Funds for Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
March 19, 2016 MD HB 1013 Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System Bill Passed - House (84 - 51)
March 17, 2016 IL SB 2059 2016 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
March 16, 2016 MD SB 706 Establishes Education Credit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
March 15, 2016 AL SB 125 2016-2017 Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
March 14, 2016 AK HB 256 2017 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
March 11, 2016 SD SB 172 2016-2017 Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 12)
March 11, 2016 SD SB 172 2016-2017 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
March 10, 2016 UT SB 246 Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
March 10, 2016 MO HB 2003 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (108 - 46)
March 10, 2016 AK HB 256 2017 Budget Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
March 9, 2016 SC H 3579 Appropriates Funds for Highways Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
March 8, 2016 SD SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
March 7, 2016 VA HB 1090 Rescinds Funds from Certain Abortion Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
March 7, 2016 UT SB 246 Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
March 3, 2016 IN SB 333 Appropriates Funds for Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
March 3, 2016 IN SB 333 Appropriates Funds for Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
March 3, 2016 IL HB 648 Repeals Requirement to Repay Special Funds Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
March 3, 2016 LA HB 14 Increases Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
March 3, 2016 IL HB 2990 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education and Human Services Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
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 2, 2016 WV SB 705 Reduces Severance Tax Rate on Oil, Natural Gas and Coal Production Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
March 2, 2016 MS SB 2238 Prohibits the Appropriation of Funds to Planned Parenthood Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17)
March 1, 2016 SD HB 1182 Increases Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
Feb. 26, 2016 GA HB 951 Establishes Tax Exemptions for Certain Purchases Bill Passed - House (127 - 22)
Feb. 26, 2016 WA SB 6246 2016-2017 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
Feb. 25, 2016 WA HB 2376 2016-2017 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
Feb. 25, 2016 AL SB 125 2016-2017 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
Feb. 24, 2016 FL HB 1325 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Companies Bill Passed - House (79 - 39)
Feb. 24, 2016 SD SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
Feb. 23, 2016 OR HB 4146 Increases Hotel Tax Bill Passed - House (37 - 20)
Feb. 22, 2016 SD HB 1182 Increases Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
Feb. 22, 2016 AZ SB 1402 Amends Tax Rate for Property Belonging to Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)
Date No. Title Outcome
10/07 A 12 Restructures Certain State Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (45 - 27)
10/07 A 12 Restructures Certain State Taxes Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
9/28 HR 5325 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (342 - 85)
9/28 HR 5325 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act Bill Passed - Senate (72 - 26)
9/14 SB 641 Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments Veto Override Passed - House (112 - 38)
9/14 SB 641 Establishes Income Tax Deduction for Agricultural Disaster Aid Payments Veto Override Passed - Senate (24 - 6)
8/31 AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Concurrence Vote Passed - House (48 - 30)
8/31 SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
8/31 SB 859 Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Bill Passed - House (51 - 20)
8/26 SB 839 Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
8/25 AB 1889 Appropriates Funds for High-Speed Rail Project Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
6/27 A 12 Restructures Certain State Taxes Bill Passed - House (53 - 23)
6/23 HR 2577 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 Conference Report Adopted - House (239 - 171)
6/19 HB 38 Limits Individual Income Tax Deductions Bill Failed - House (46 - 55)
6/18 H 7454 Establishes State Budget for 2017 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 3)
6/16 SB 839 Prohibits Orca Captivity and Breeding Bill Passed - House (48 - 28)
6/16 SB 6 Amends Tax Credit Standards Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
6/16 SB 10 Prohibits Certain Businesses from Receiving 2 Different Tax Credits Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
6/15 SB 826 Approves Spending Plan for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 11)
6/15 SB 826 Approves Spending Plan for 2016-2017 Fiscal Year Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 27)
6/15 H 7454 Establishes State Budget for 2017 Bill Passed - House (59 - 13)
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)
6/06 HB 247 Amends Oil and Gas Tax Credit System Conference Report Adopted - House (21 - 19)
6/06 HB 247 Amends Oil and Gas Tax Credit System Conference Report Adopted - Senate (13 - 6)
6/06 SB 128 Amends Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend Policy Bill Passed - Senate (14 - 5)
6/03 HB 1030 Establishes State Budget for 2016-2017 Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
5/31 SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 31)
5/31 SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Concurrence Vote Failed - Senate (17 - 31)
5/31 S 1258 Amends Structure and Funding of Department of Transportation Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (31 - 10)
5/26 SB 2048 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - House (60 - 53)
5/19 HB 4167 Appropriates Funds for Monetary Award Program Grants Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 15)
5/17 HB 4167 Appropriates Funds for Monetary Award Program Grants Bill Passed - House (68 - 45)
5/13 HB 247 Amends Oil and Gas Tax Credit System Bill Passed - House (25 - 12)
5/10 SB 231 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 21)
5/05 HB 2568 Authorizes Developers to Levy Property Taxes Concurrence Vote Passed - House (31 - 26)
5/05 HF 3467 Appropriates Bond Proceeds to Public Works Bill Failed - Senate (40 - 26)
5/05 HB 1141 Establishes State Budget for 2016-2017 Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 9)
5/04 HB 1148 Prohibits Sanctuary Cities from Receiving Certain State Funds Bill Passed - House (67 - 27)
5/01 SB 249 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 18)
5/01 SB 249 Establishes Budget for Fiscal Years 2016 and 2017 Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 59)
4/28 SB 287 Appropriates Funds for New Prison Facilities Bill Passed - House (52 - 33)
4/27 HF 3931 Appropriates Funds for Fiscal Year 2017 Bill Passed - House (72 - 54)
4/25 HF 2749 Appropriates Funds for Education Bill Passed - House (84 - 46)
4/22 HF 2460 Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/22 HF 2459 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Equal Pay Task Force Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 24)
4/21 HB 2248 Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
4/21 HB 2248 Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office Conference Report Adopted - House (63 - 21)
4/21 HB 696 Repeals Property Tax in Non-Home Rule Communities Bill Passed - House (71 - 31)
4/20 HF 2460 Appropriates Funding for Health and Human Services Bill Passed - House (56 - 42)
4/19 SF 2323 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 23)
4/19 HF 2459 Appropriates Funds and Establishes Equal Pay Task Force Bill Passed - House (54 - 45)
4/18 HB 2248 Rescinds Funding for the University of Tennessee's Diversity Office Bill Passed - House (66 - 22)
4/14 SB 121 Appropriates Funds to Department of Human Services Bill Failed - Senate (25 - 10)
4/11 SB 1112 Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses Bill Passed - House (76 - 57)
4/08 HB 1013 Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 17)
4/08 SB 1112 Establishes Tax Credit for Certain Aerospace Businesses Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 13)
4/07 HB 1013 Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System Veto Override Passed - House (88 - 52)
4/07 HB 2003 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 8)
4/07 HB 222 Limits Governor's Ability to Accept Federal Funds Bill Passed - House (26 - 13)
4/07 S 2220 Increases Spending Cap on Charter School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
4/07 HB 2330 Establishes Regulations for Ride Sharing Companies Bill Passed - House (115 - 34)
4/06 SB 623 Increases Motor Fuel Tax Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 10)
4/05 SB 287 Appropriates Funds for New Prison Facilities Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 11)
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)
3/22 HB 305 Appropriates Funds for Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (56 - 40)
3/19 HB 1013 Establishes Transportation Project Scoring System Bill Passed - House (84 - 51)
3/17 SB 2059 2016 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 18)
3/16 SB 706 Establishes Education Credit Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 19)
3/15 SB 125 2016-2017 Budget Bill Passed - House (65 - 35)
3/14 HB 256 2017 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 4)
3/11 SB 172 2016-2017 Budget Bill Passed - House (53 - 12)
3/11 SB 172 2016-2017 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 6)
3/10 SB 246 Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations Bill Passed - House (52 - 17)
3/10 HB 2003 Appropriates Funds to the Department of Higher Education Bill Passed - House (108 - 46)
3/10 HB 256 2017 Budget Bill Passed - House (24 - 14)
3/09 H 3579 Appropriates Funds for Highways Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 15)
3/08 SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - House (45 - 23)
3/07 HB 1090 Rescinds Funds from Certain Abortion Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (21 - 19)
3/07 SB 246 Authorizes Infrastructure Appropriations Bill Passed - Senate (20 - 7)
3/03 SB 333 Appropriates Funds for Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
3/03 SB 333 Appropriates Funds for Transportation Projects Bill Passed - House (57 - 35)
3/03 HB 648 Repeals Requirement to Repay Special Funds Bill Passed - House (61 - 52)
3/03 HB 14 Increases Cigarette Tax Bill Passed - House (74 - 26)
3/03 HB 2990 Appropriates Funds for Higher Education and Human Services Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
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)
3/02 SB 705 Reduces Severance Tax Rate on Oil, Natural Gas and Coal Production Bill Passed - Senate (19 - 15)
3/02 SB 2238 Prohibits the Appropriation of Funds to Planned Parenthood Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 17)
3/01 HB 1182 Increases Sales Tax Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 10)
2/26 HB 951 Establishes Tax Exemptions for Certain Purchases Bill Passed - House (127 - 22)
2/26 SB 6246 2016-2017 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 22)
2/25 HB 2376 2016-2017 Supplemental Budget Bill Passed - House (50 - 47)
2/25 SB 125 2016-2017 Budget Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
2/24 HB 1325 Establishes Tax Credits for Certain Companies Bill Passed - House (79 - 39)
2/24 SB 159 Authorizes Education Tax Credit for Insurance Companies Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 11)
2/23 HB 4146 Increases Hotel Tax Bill Passed - House (37 - 20)
2/22 HB 1182 Increases Sales Tax Bill Passed - House (47 - 21)
2/22 SB 1402 Amends Tax Rate for Property Belonging to Institutions of Higher Education Bill Passed - Senate (16 - 14)

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