LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill allowing petition circulators to be paid by the signature rather than an hourly wage has received first-round approval in the Nebraska Legislature.

Senators voted 38-0 Wednesday on a measure by Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte that would lift a 2008 ban placed on signature-based compensation.

An initiative or referendum petition allows registered voters to place an amendment on the ballot. The bill’s supporters say the ban limits citizens’ access to ballot petitions because most grassroots organizations do not have enough resources to support hourly wages.

Lawmakers have to vote in favor of the bill twice more before it advances to Gov. Pete Ricketts.