TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate has passed legislation that would require teachers to vote every three years in order to maintain their local union.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the bill passed the chamber with a 22-18 vote after more than two hours of debate Wednesday.

The measure would direct the Kansas Department of Labor to hold elections for teachers to weigh in on whether or not to keep their union every three years. Unions would continue to have negotiating power as long as more than 50 percent of employees who vote in the election are in favor of the union.

The task would entail more than 300 elections at an estimated $340,000 cost. The state might be able to charge professional organizations for the expense.