LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have approved a bill designed to give nurse practitioners more independence.

Senators voted 46-0 Friday to pass the bill, which was vetoed last year by then-Gov. Dave Heineman. Last year’s session ended before lawmakers had a chance to attempt an override.

The bill by Sen. Sue Crawford of Bellevue would remove a requirement that nurse practitioners get a written agreement to consult with a doctor before they can practice. The so-called integrated practice agreements are designed to ensure that a physician is available for collaboration or referral if a patient doesn’t respond to treatment.

Supporters of the bill say the agreements make it harder to recruit well-trained nurses and keep them in the state. Doctors expressed concerns about patient safety.