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
May 31, 2007 NH HB 802 Requiring Seatbelts in Automotive Vehicles "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42)
Feb. 25, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
June 14, 2006 MD SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
April 7, 2008 NE LB 959 Gas Tax Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
June 14, 2006 SC H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 31)
Oct. 2, 2007 IL SB 540 Truck Speed Limit Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
Feb. 25, 2008 MN HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 41)
June 16, 2009 SC S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
March 6, 1998 National S Amdt 1708 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 37)
May 9, 2007 SC Amendment No. 2c Restructuring the Department of Transportation Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 19)
March 27, 2007 SC Amendment No. 23 Remove the Transportation Commission Amendment Tabled - House (71 - 36)
April 29, 2009 NH HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
Feb. 22, 2010 National HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Cloture Invoked - Senate (62 - 30)
March 12, 1998 National S Amdt 1676 Intermodal Transportation Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (96 - 4)
June 21, 1995 National S Amdt 1446 Drinking and Driving Minors Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 36)
Sept. 10, 2007 National S Amdt 2792 Bridge Repair Funding Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 33)
June 20, 1995 National S Amdt 1427 Commercial Vehicle Speed Limit Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
June 16, 1994 National H Amdt 645 Interstate Commerce Commission Funding Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 192)
March 27, 1998 National H Amdt 542 Road Construction Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (200 - 187)
March 9, 2006 WI ASA 3 Ethanol Bill Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15)
April 19, 2006 VA Governor's Recommendation: DMV Voter Registration Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
March 4, 1998 National S Amdt 1682 Blood Alcohol Content Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 32)
Sept. 20, 1995 National H Amdt 814 Drinking and Driving Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 203)
May 21, 2007 LA Amdt B-138: Cellular Phone Use While Driving Amendment Adopted - House (72 - 23)
May 27, 2009 LA Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
Oct. 23, 2007 WI AS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
June 18, 2009 MA S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
April 4, 2008 GA SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34)
Sept. 29, 1994 National HR 4556 Transportation FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 11)
March 31, 2006 KS SCS SB 253 Highway Advertising Regulation & Fees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 3)
May 14, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 43)
April 21, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
April 14, 2008 MN HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
Oct. 30, 2003 National HR 2115 Aviation Administration FY2004-2006 Authorization bill Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 207)
Nov. 30, 2001 National HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 11)
May 22, 1998 National HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Conference Report Adopted - House (297 - 86)
July 26, 2007 National HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 8)
Dec. 4, 2001 National HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
May 8, 2010 KS HB 2130 Amending Seat Belt Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
June 20, 2007 AZ SB 1552 Air Pollution Control Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 8)
June 19, 2007 AZ SB 1552 Air Pollution Control Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 3)
March 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12)
April 28, 2005 National H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
July 29, 2005 National HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4)
July 29, 2005 National HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (412 - 8)
Oct. 3, 1996 National HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
Oct. 4, 1999 National HR 2084 Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 3)
Oct. 1, 1999 National HR 2084 Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (304 - 91)
July 27, 2007 National HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 40)
Sept. 27, 1996 National HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - House (218 - 198)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
March 14, 2006 IN HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
Oct. 23, 2007 WI AS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15)
May 2, 2006 HI HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
May 31, 2009 TX HB 537 Increase Required Age for Seatbelts Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
Nov. 14, 2007 National HR 3074 Appropriations for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 147)
April 2, 2008 KY HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
Oct. 31, 2007 MI H Sub for Sub SB 240 2007-2008 Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 21)
Nov. 17, 1995 National S 440 National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (80 - 16)
Nov. 16, 2001 National S 1447 Federalize Aviation Security bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 9)
Dec. 13, 2009 National HR 3288 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 35)
May 14, 2007 MN HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17)
May 22, 1998 National HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 5)
Dec. 10, 2009 National HR 3288 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (221 - 202)
March 23, 2010 IA HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
June 18, 2009 MA S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25)
May 8, 2006 TX HB 4 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 47)
Jan. 17, 2008 IL HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 47)
Aug. 31, 2008 CA SB 60 Expanding Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
June 17, 2009 LA HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
March 17, 2010 National HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (68 - 29)
April 24, 2008 AZ HB 2395 Driving and Boating Under the Influence Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 15)
Aug. 30, 2008 CA SB 375 Global Warming and Land Use Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
Aug. 21, 2008 CA SB 28 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
May 13, 2008 MN HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
Oct. 1, 2008 National HR 2095 Amtrak Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
Feb. 14, 2008 MI HB 4505 Changes to Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 5)
April 28, 2006 ME LD 1974 Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
Aug. 31, 2006 CA SB 1613 Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
Jan. 17, 2008 IL HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
Aug. 31, 2008 CA AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25)
June 4, 2007 NC CS HB 1473 2007-2008 Operating Budget Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 47)
May 1, 2009 FL SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37)
March 5, 2008 UT HB 359 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 23)
Aug. 10, 2009 NC HB 148 Local Transportation Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40)
March 6, 2008 GA SB 276 Expanding Automotive Insurance Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 10)
May 6, 2006 AK CSHB 471 Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - House (26 - 14)
Jan. 10, 2008 IL HB 656 Transportation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 51)
Aug. 13, 2008 CA AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 15)
Sept. 2, 2011 CA AB 353 DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 12)
April 4, 2008 GA HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
June 25, 2008 AZ HB 2156 Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 12)
July 15, 2009 NC HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
Aug. 30, 2007 CA SB 33 Underage Driver Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
July 17, 2007 PA HB 1590 Public Transportation and Interstate 80 Toll Road Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 79)
June 23, 2008 AZ SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
June 26, 2007 LA SB 223 Required Liability Insurance Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)
Date No. Title Outcome
5/31 HB 802 Requiring Seatbelts in Automotive Vehicles "Inexpedient to Legislate" Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 8)
6/14 SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - House (94 - 42)
2/25 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - Senate (47 - 20)
6/14 SB 52 Maryland Transportation Authority Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 13)
4/07 LB 959 Gas Tax Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 15)
6/14 H 3726 ATV Use Regulations Veto Override Passed - House (74 - 31)
10/02 SB 540 Truck Speed Limit Increase Veto Override Passed - Senate (39 - 10)
2/25 HF 2800 2009-2010 Transportation Budget Veto Override Passed - House (91 - 41)
6/16 S 351 State Ports Authority Amendments Veto Override Passed - Senate (35 - 9)
3/06 S Amdt 1708 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Amendment Amendment Tabled - Senate (58 - 37)
5/09 Amendment No. 2c Restructuring the Department of Transportation Amendment Tabled - Senate (20 - 19)
3/27 Amendment No. 23 Remove the Transportation Commission Amendment Tabled - House (71 - 36)
4/29 HB 383 Mandating Seat Belt Usage Bill Tabled - Senate (13 - 11)
2/22 HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Cloture Invoked - Senate (62 - 30)
3/12 S Amdt 1676 Intermodal Transportation Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (96 - 4)
6/21 S Amdt 1446 Drinking and Driving Minors Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (64 - 36)
9/10 S Amdt 2792 Bridge Repair Funding Amendment Adopted - Senate (60 - 33)
6/20 S Amdt 1427 Commercial Vehicle Speed Limit Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (51 - 49)
6/16 H Amdt 645 Interstate Commerce Commission Funding Amendment Adopted - House (234 - 192)
3/27 H Amdt 542 Road Construction Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (200 - 187)
3/09 ASA 3 Ethanol Bill Motion Agreed - Senate (17 - 15)
4/19 Governor's Recommendation: DMV Voter Registration Requirements Amendment Adopted - Senate (21 - 17)
3/04 S Amdt 1682 Blood Alcohol Content Amendment Amendment Adopted - Senate (62 - 32)
9/20 H Amdt 814 Drinking and Driving Amendment Amendment Adopted - House (223 - 203)
5/21 Amdt B-138: Cellular Phone Use While Driving Amendment Adopted - House (72 - 23)
5/27 Amdt B-200 Cell Phone Secondary Offense Amendment Adopted - House (56 - 40)
10/23 AS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (60 - 39)
6/18 S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
4/04 SR 845 Regional Transportation Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (134 - 34)
9/29 HR 4556 Transportation FY95 Appropriations Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (89 - 11)
3/31 SCS SB 253 Highway Advertising Regulation & Fees Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 3)
5/14 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (90 - 43)
4/21 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - Senate (51 - 11)
4/14 HF 1351 Transportation Policy Reform Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 44)
10/30 HR 2115 Aviation Administration FY2004-2006 Authorization bill Conference Report Adopted - House (211 - 207)
11/30 HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 11)
5/22 HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Conference Report Adopted - House (297 - 86)
7/26 HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - Senate (85 - 8)
12/04 HR 2299 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act, 2002 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (97 - 2)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - Senate (52 - 47)
5/08 HB 2130 Amending Seat Belt Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (29 - 8)
6/20 SB 1552 Air Pollution Control Conference Report Adopted - House (47 - 8)
6/19 SB 1552 Air Pollution Control Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 3)
3/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 12)
4/28 H Con Res 95 Budget FY2006 Appropriations Resolution Conference Report Adopted - House (214 - 211)
7/29 HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (91 - 4)
7/29 HR 3 Transportation Authorization Bill Conference Report Adopted - House (412 - 8)
10/03 HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (92 - 2)
10/04 HR 2084 Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 3)
10/01 HR 2084 Transportation Department FY2000 Appropriations bill Conference Report Adopted - House (304 - 91)
7/27 HR 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act Conference Report Adopted - House (371 - 40)
9/27 HR 3539 Federal Aviation Authorization Act of 1996 Conference Report Adopted - House (218 - 198)
3/14 HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 19)
3/14 HB 1008 Indiana Toll Road Conference Report Adopted - House (51 - 48)
10/23 AS SB 40 2007-2009 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (18 - 15)
5/02 HB 3115 Gasoline Industry Controls Conference Report Adopted - Senate (22 - 3)
5/31 HB 537 Increase Required Age for Seatbelts Conference Report Adopted - House (105 - 34)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (74 - 21)
11/14 HR 3074 Appropriations for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Conference Report Adopted - House (270 - 147)
4/02 HB 406 2008-2010 Biennium Budget Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 3)
10/31 H Sub for Sub SB 240 2007-2008 Transportation Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (88 - 21)
11/17 S 440 National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (80 - 16)
11/16 S 1447 Federalize Aviation Security bill Conference Report Adopted - House (410 - 9)
12/13 HR 3288 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - Senate (57 - 35)
5/14 HF 946 Transportation Funding and Gas Tax Conference Report Adopted - Senate (47 - 17)
5/22 HR 2400 Transportation Reauthorization bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (88 - 5)
12/10 HR 3288 2009-2010 Omnibus Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (221 - 202)
3/23 HF 2456 Texting While Driving Ban Conference Report Adopted - House (66 - 33)
6/18 S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - House (130 - 25)
5/08 HB 4 Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Conference Report Adopted - House (86 - 47)
1/17 HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - House (61 - 47)
8/31 SB 60 Expanding Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 14)
6/17 HB 499 Seat Belt Law Concurrence Vote Passed - House (75 - 12)
3/17 HR 2847 Employment, Infrastructure, and Transportation Appropriations and Tax Credits ("Senate Jobs Bill") Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (68 - 29)
4/24 HB 2395 Driving and Boating Under the Influence Concurrence Vote Passed - House (35 - 15)
8/30 SB 375 Global Warming and Land Use Policy Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
8/21 SB 28 Prohibiting Text Messaging While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 14)
5/13 HF 3807 Real ID Prohibition Concurrence Vote Passed - House (103 - 30)
10/01 HR 2095 Amtrak Reauthorization Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (74 - 24)
2/14 HB 4505 Changes to Driver's License Eligibility Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 5)
4/28 LD 1974 Supplemental Transportation Budget Bill Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - Senate (18 - 17)
8/31 SB 1613 Prohibition on Wireless Phone Use While Driving Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (21 - 16)
1/17 HB 656 Providing Free Public Transportation for Senior Citizens Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (32 - 19)
8/31 AB 2321 Metro Sales Tax Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 25)
6/04 CS HB 1473 2007-2008 Operating Budget Nonconcurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 47)
5/01 SB 360 Growth Management Deregulation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (78 - 37)
3/05 HB 359 Tax Law Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (49 - 23)
8/10 HB 148 Local Transportation Reforms Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 40)
3/06 SB 276 Expanding Automotive Insurance Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (43 - 10)
5/06 CSHB 471 Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority Concurrence Vote Passed - House (26 - 14)
1/10 HB 656 Transportation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (62 - 51)
8/13 AB 3034 High-Speed Rail Bond Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 15)
9/02 AB 353 DUI Inspection Checkpoints and Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (64 - 12)
4/04 HB 978 Vehicle Seizures for Unlicensed Drivers Concurrence Vote Passed - House (115 - 44)
6/25 HB 2156 Reviews for Potential Railroad Sites Concurrence Vote Passed - House (40 - 12)
7/15 HB 1185 Habitual DWI Reinstatement after Ten Years Concurrence Vote Passed - House (87 - 29)
8/30 SB 33 Underage Driver Cellphone Ban Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (23 - 14)
7/17 HB 1590 Public Transportation and Interstate 80 Toll Road Concurrence Vote Passed - House (124 - 79)
6/23 SB 1167 Off-Highway Vehicle Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (16 - 7)
6/26 SB 223 Required Liability Insurance Increase Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (25 - 12)

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