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
Nov. 19, 2013 MA Amdt 1 Increases the Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
July 1, 2014 MA Amdt 17 Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
May 24, 2006 MA Amdt 8 to SB 3 Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
July 13, 2006 MA H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
May 18, 2006 MA H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
May 25, 2017 MA H 3601 Appropriates Funds for the 2018 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
March 28, 2019 MA H 3638 Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Oct. 13, 2011 MA H 3711 Authorizes Gambling Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
June 22, 2017 MA H 3776 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
July 7, 2017 MA H 3800 Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
July 19, 2012 MA H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
July 20, 2017 MA H 3818 Amends Voter-Passed Marijuana Law Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
July 29, 2021 MA H 4002 Appropriates Funds for FY 2022 Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
Sept. 28, 2023 MA H 4104 Exempts Decedents Estates from State Estate Tax if Under $2 Million Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
July 16, 2014 MA H 4108 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 30)
June 12, 2014 MA H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
Feb. 1, 2024 MA H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
July 27, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - Senate (28 - 9)
July 15, 2010 MA H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
June 27, 2012 MA H 4174 Authorizes Funds for State Transportation Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
July 13, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
June 7, 2006 MA H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
July 16, 2014 MA H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
Jan. 16, 2020 MA H 4218 Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
Sept. 22, 2009 MA H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
Nov. 17, 2021 MA H 4256 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
July 31, 2014 MA H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
April 13, 2023 MA H 43 Establishment of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
May 5, 2022 MA H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
May 4, 2006 MA H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
May 24, 2006 MA H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
June 28, 2018 MA H 4479 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
Feb. 7, 2008 MA H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
June 7, 2018 MA H 4501 Authorizes Capital for State Life Sciences Capital Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Feb. 27, 2020 MA H 4502 Appropriates Funds for the Executive Office of Education to Contain, Treat, and Prevent COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
April 14, 2022 MA H 4524 Expands Commonwealth Involvement in Offshore Wind, Clean Energy Industries (37 - 3)
April 25, 2024 MA H 4529 Appropriates Funding for Municipal Roads and Bridges Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
July 18, 2018 MA H 4546 Authorizes Creation of Community Benefit Districts Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
June 12, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
March 20, 2008 MA H 4554 Life-Science Bill Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
March 31, 2022 MA H 4554 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Hair or Hairstyle (40 - 0)
April 25, 2024 MA H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
July 1, 2010 MA H 4619 Gambling Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
June 16, 2022 MA H 4638 Appropriates Funds for Transportation Infrastructure Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
June 20, 2018 MA H 4640 Amends Minimum Wage and Paid-Leave Programs Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
May 6, 2008 MA H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
June 13, 2024 MA H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
July 11, 2024 MA H 4804 Authorizes Grant Programs to Strengthen Economic Leadership Within Various Sectors of Work Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
June 9, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
May 26, 2022 MA H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
July 2, 2020 MA H 4820 Expands Voting Options in Response to COVID-19 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 0)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4834 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4835 Authorizes Funds for Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
July 30, 2018 MA H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
July 31, 2018 MA H 4857 Increases State Clean Energy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
July 18, 2024 MA H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
July 31, 2010 MA H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
July 21, 2022 MA H 5034 Appropriates $3.8 Billion for Economic Development Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 21, 2022 MA H 5060 Establishes Various New Programs and Laws to Promote Growth in the Clean Energy Industry (38 - 2)
July 26, 2022 MA H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care (39 - 1)
July 28, 2022 MA H 5106 Establishes New Rules for the Governance and Improvement of Veterans' Homes in the Commonwealth (40 - 0)
Nov. 18, 2020 MA H 5151 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 General Budget Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
Aug. 1, 2022 MA H 5163 Authorizes Technology Improvements to State Judiciary Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
Aug. 1, 2022 MA H 5164 Authorizes Sports Wagering in the Commonwealth (36 - 4)
Dec. 29, 2020 MA H 5179 Expands State Abortion Access Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
March 9, 2023 MA H 58 Authorizes Appropriations for the 2023 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
March 11, 2021 MA H 73 Establishes That Early Voting by Mail-In Ballot Can Continue Through the End of June Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 31, 2007 MA HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
Nov. 19, 2013 MA S 1925 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
Sept. 17, 2015 MA S 1981 Requires Foreclosure Title Clearing Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
Sept. 15, 2011 MA S 2018 Massachusetts Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
June 18, 2009 MA S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
June 12, 2014 MA S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
May 1, 2014 MA S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
Oct. 26, 2017 MA S 2200 Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
Nov. 9, 2017 MA S 2202 Amends Various Healthcare Laws Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
Nov. 17, 2009 MA S 2205 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
Nov. 18, 2009 MA S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
June 14, 2007 MA S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
April 7, 2016 MA S 2220 Increases Spending Cap on Charter School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
Jan. 14, 2010 MA S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
June 22, 2006 MA S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
Jan. 25, 2018 MA S 2260 Repeals State-Level Law Prohibiting Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
April 28, 2016 MA S 2269 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
June 9, 2016 MA S 2311 Amends Residential Zoning Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
April 4, 2018 MA S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0)
Nov. 15, 2007 MA S 2414 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
Jan. 18, 2024 MA S 2551 Repeals Certain Language in Several State Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
Oct. 27, 2021 MA S 2560 Establishes Senatorial Districts Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
June 28, 2018 MA S 2562 Authorizes Non-Binary Gender on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
July 12, 2018 MA S 2595 Establishes Commission to Study Lead in Drinking Water at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
July 19, 2018 MA S 2598 Authorizes Diversion Program for First-Time Prostitution Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
July 19, 2018 MA S 2599 Requires Licensure and Oversight of "Bodyworks" Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
July 19, 2018 MA S 2610 Establishes State-Level Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
March 14, 2024 MA S 2697 Expands Childcare Affordability Programs Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
July 14, 2020 MA S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
July 29, 2008 MA S 2807 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
June 25, 2024 MA S 2829 Expands the Use of Renewable Energy Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
June 20, 2024 MA S 2830 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Shopping Bags at Retail Shops Across the State Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
Date No. Title Outcome
11/19 Amdt 1 Increases the Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees Amendment Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
7/01 Amdt 17 Limits Use of Non-Competition Agreements Amendment Adopted - Senate (32 - 7)
5/24 Amdt 8 to SB 3 Sales Tax Holiday Amendment Adopted - Senate (23 - 16)
7/13 H 126 Unsigned Political Posters Veto Override Passed - Senate (30 - 6)
5/18 H 229 Primary Seat Belt Bill Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
5/25 H 3601 Appropriates Funds for the 2018 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
3/28 H 3638 Appropriates Funding to Family Planning and Women Reproductive Health Clinics Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
10/13 H 3711 Authorizes Gambling Casinos Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 14)
6/22 H 3776 Authorizes Medical Marijuana Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 5)
7/07 H 3800 Establishes State Budget for Fiscal Year 2018 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 2)
7/19 H 3818 Requires Habitual Violent Offenders to Serve Their Full Sentence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
7/20 H 3818 Amends Voter-Passed Marijuana Law Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 6)
7/29 H 4002 Appropriates Funds for FY 2022 Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 6)
9/28 H 4104 Exempts Decedents Estates from State Estate Tax if Under $2 Million Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 1)
7/16 H 4108 Amends Charter School Laws Bill Failed - Senate (9 - 30)
6/12 H 4111 Appropriates Funds for the Expansion of the Boston Convention Center Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
2/01 H 4139 Amends and Updates Various State Gun Control Laws Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 3)
7/27 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Motion Agreed - Senate (28 - 9)
7/15 H 4156 National Popular Vote Act Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 10)
6/27 H 4174 Authorizes Funds for State Transportation Projects Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (27 - 9)
7/13 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Veto Override Passed - Senate (25 - 11)
6/07 H 4176 Sale of Hypodermic Needles and Syringes Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 8)
7/16 H 4184 Requires Parole Eligibility for Certain Juveniles Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
1/16 H 4218 Requires School Districts Offer Breakfast After Instruction Begins Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 0)
9/22 H 4246 Authorizing Governor to Appoint Interim U.S. Senator Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 16)
11/17 H 4256 Amends Congressional Districts Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 13)
7/31 H 4278 Amends Firearm Laws Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 3)
4/13 H 43 Establishment of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
5/05 H 4470 Authorizes Driver's Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (31 - 9)
5/04 H 4479 Health Care Access & Affordability Bill Section 113 Veto Override Passed - Senate (37 - 2)
5/24 H 4479 MassHealth Immigrant Eligibility Veto Override Veto Override Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
6/28 H 4479 Increases Minimum Purchase Age for Tobacco Products Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 3)
2/07 H 4488 Education Reorganization Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
6/07 H 4501 Authorizes Capital for State Life Sciences Capital Fund Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
2/27 H 4502 Appropriates Funds for the Executive Office of Education to Contain, Treat, and Prevent COVID-19 Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
4/14 H 4524 Expands Commonwealth Involvement in Offshore Wind, Clean Energy Industries (37 - 3)
4/25 H 4529 Appropriates Funding for Municipal Roads and Bridges Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
7/18 H 4546 Authorizes Creation of Community Benefit Districts Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 15)
6/12 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Conference Report Adopted - Senate (31 - 7)
3/20 H 4554 Life-Science Bill Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 4)
3/31 H 4554 Prohibits Discrimination on the Basis of Hair or Hairstyle (40 - 0)
4/25 H 4582 Appropriates Funding for Homeless Shelter Costs and Amends Stay Limits Bill Passed - Senate (29 - 9)
7/01 H 4619 Gambling Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (25 - 15)
6/16 H 4638 Appropriates Funds for Transportation Infrastructure Improvements Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
6/20 H 4640 Amends Minimum Wage and Paid-Leave Programs Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 0)
5/06 H 4645 Cigarette Tax Increase Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 6)
6/13 H 4744 Classifies Coercive Control as a Form of Domestic Violence Conference Report Adopted - Senate (38 - 0)
7/11 H 4804 Authorizes Grant Programs to Strengthen Economic Leadership Within Various Sectors of Work Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
6/09 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
5/26 H 4805 Authorizes State Drivers Licenses for Certain Undocumented Persons (32 - 8)
7/02 H 4820 Expands Voting Options in Response to COVID-19 Conference Report Adopted - Senate (39 - 0)
7/30 H 4834 Establishes Automatic Voter Registration Conference Report Adopted - Senate (36 - 0)
7/30 H 4835 Authorizes Funds for Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Protection Concurrence Vote Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
7/30 H 4841 Authorizes New Tax Regulations and Insurance Requirements for Short-Term Rentals Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 8)
7/31 H 4857 Increases State Clean Energy Requirements Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
7/18 H 4885 Amends Various State Gun Reform Measures Bill Passed - Senate (35 - 5)
7/31 H 5000 Gambling Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (25 - 15)
7/21 H 5034 Appropriates $3.8 Billion for Economic Development Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/21 H 5060 Establishes Various New Programs and Laws to Promote Growth in the Clean Energy Industry (38 - 2)
7/26 H 5090 Expands Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care (39 - 1)
7/28 H 5106 Establishes New Rules for the Governance and Improvement of Veterans' Homes in the Commonwealth (40 - 0)
11/18 H 5151 Appropriates Funds for the 2021 General Budget Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
8/01 H 5163 Authorizes Technology Improvements to State Judiciary Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 1)
8/01 H 5164 Authorizes Sports Wagering in the Commonwealth (36 - 4)
12/29 H 5179 Expands State Abortion Access Veto Override Passed - Senate (32 - 8)
3/09 H 58 Authorizes Appropriations for the 2023 Fiscal Year Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
3/11 H 73 Establishes That Early Voting by Mail-In Ballot Can Continue Through the End of June Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/31 HB 2876 Sales Tax Holiday Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 4)
11/19 S 1925 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 7)
9/17 S 1981 Requires Foreclosure Title Clearing Bill Passed - Senate (31 - 7)
9/15 S 2018 Massachusetts Pension System Bill Passed - Senate (24 - 10)
6/18 S 2087 Massachusetts Transportation Agency Consolidation Conference Report Adopted - Senate (27 - 11)
6/12 S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Conference Report Adopted - Senate (35 - 4)
5/01 S 2123 Increases the Minimum Wage Bill Passed - Senate (34 - 5)
10/26 S 2200 Amends Various Criminal Justice Laws Bill Passed - Senate (27 - 10)
11/09 S 2202 Amends Various Healthcare Laws Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 6)
11/17 S 2205 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (28 - 11)
11/18 S 2210 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - Senate (26 - 12)
6/14 S 2220 Constitutional Amendment Defining Marriage Bill Failed - Senate (5 - 34)
4/07 S 2220 Increases Spending Cap on Charter School Tuition Bill Passed - Senate (22 - 13)
1/14 S 2247 Education Law Amendments Conference Report Adopted - Senate (23 - 12)
6/22 S 2258 Massage Therapist Licensing Veto Override Passed - Senate (29 - 8)
1/25 S 2260 Repeals State-Level Law Prohibiting Abortion Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
4/28 S 2269 Increases Smoking Age to 21 Bill Passed - Senate (32 - 2)
6/09 S 2311 Amends Residential Zoning Regulations Bill Passed - Senate (23 - 15)
4/04 S 2371 Amends Criminal Justice Law Conference Report Adopted - Senate (37 - 0)
11/15 S 2414 Presidential Primary Date Change Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
1/18 S 2551 Repeals Certain Language in Several State Laws Bill Passed - Senate (39 - 0)
10/27 S 2560 Establishes Senatorial Districts Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 3)
6/28 S 2562 Authorizes Non-Binary Gender on Driver's Licenses Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 1)
7/12 S 2595 Establishes Commission to Study Lead in Drinking Water at Schools Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 0)
7/19 S 2598 Authorizes Diversion Program for First-Time Prostitution Offenses Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
7/19 S 2599 Requires Licensure and Oversight of "Bodyworks" Establishments Bill Passed - Senate (36 - 0)
7/19 S 2610 Establishes State-Level Net Neutrality Policy Bill Passed - Senate (37 - 0)
3/14 S 2697 Expands Childcare Affordability Programs Bill Passed - Senate (40 - 0)
7/14 S 2800 Amends Police Standards and Restructures Policing Resources Bill Passed - Senate (30 - 7)
7/29 S 2807 Election Day Voter Registration Bill Passed - Senate (33 - 5)
6/25 S 2829 Expands the Use of Renewable Energy Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)
6/20 S 2830 Prohibits Single-Use Plastic Shopping Bags at Retail Shops Across the State Bill Passed - Senate (38 - 2)

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