MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- The Alabama Senate is ready to give limited home rule to counties to control weeds, stray animals, public water and sewer services, and some noise problems.

The Senate voted 16-8 Thursday for a limited home rule bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

The bill would not give any new taxing and zoning powers to county commissions. The bill would only take effect in a county after citizens living outside any cities approved it in a referendum.

Barron said it's a small step in shifting power from the Legislature to county commissions to control local issues.

"But it's a step in the right direction," he said.

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