Alabama lawmakers have passed a bill that could help clear the way for construction of a new State House.

The Senate voted 34-0 today to give the bill final passage and send it to Gov. Kay Ivey, who could sign it into law.

The bill, SB222, gives control of state-owned property that is now a parking lot behind the State House to the Legislative Council, a panel of 20 legislators. It gives the Legislative Council the authority to contract with the Retirement Systems of Alabama or another entity for construction and maintenance of a new State House.

The RSA has requested proposals from architectural firms to design a State House to replace the one now in use. It was built in 1963 for the state Highway Department. The Legislature has used it for meeting chambers and offices since 1985. The RSA will receive proposals until May 19.

Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, the sponsor of the bill, has said there are still decisions ahead before the project can go forward and said the cost will be an important factor. The RSA asked for cost estimates in its request for design proposals. Givhan said if the project proceeds with the RSA financing and building it, the Legislature would make lease payments. The RSA already has eight office buildings in the state government complex of downtown Montgomery.

Givhan said there is a second possible site, the parking lot just north of the State House, which is directly across from the State Capitol.

Lawmakers have cited a number of reasons to replace the State House, saying the building was not designed for its current use. A facility assessment conducted by an engineering firm in March 2020 found that the eight-story, 315,000 square foot building needed $51 million in repairs, renovations and replacements over 10 years. Officials have cited the limited space for public access, poor accessibility for people with disabilities, and the flooding and mold problems. Last September, the Legislative Council directed senior staff officials at the Legislature to explore the idea of a new State House and discuss it with the RSA.

The bill moved on a fast track after it was introduced on April 19. The provisions on the State House are in a few paragraphs tucked into the 30-page bill, which also concerns legislative meeting dates, legislative committees, the transfer of duties if there is a vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office, and other topics.

The bill allows the state attorney general to redact contracts for professional services that it submits to the Legislature’s contract review committee. Currently, the names of those individuals or companies in the attorney general’s contracts are listed on the agenda of the contract review committee.

This story will be updated.