BOISE (AP) — Lawmakers have moved a step closer to lifting Idaho's cap on public charter schools.

The Senate Education Committee voted 5-4 Monday to ditch the rule limiting the number of new charter schools to six per year. The bill would also allow more than one charter school to open within the boundaries of a traditional school district each year.

The legislation now heads to the Senate floor, its final hurdle in the 2012 session, amid widespread support from charter school advocates who say the cap is harming efforts to secure federal and private grant money for the state.

But the statewide teachers union opposed the legislation, saying now is not the time to expand Idaho's education system. School trustees and administrators have also previously testified against the bill, citing similar concerns.