A proposal to allow Ten Commandments displays in public schools and state-owned buildings is on its way to voters and will be on the ballot in November.

The House of Representatives passed the proposed constitutional amendment by a vote of 66-19 today. The bill is by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, who has sponsored similar measures for years.

It passed the House today after about 90 minutes of debate, with a number of Democrats questioning the purpose.

Rep. Marcel Black, D-Tuscumbia, said the bill was "an old trick" intended to help draw Republican voters to the polls. The bill says no public money will be spent to defend the law in court. But Black disputed that, saying school systems who put up displays will face lawsuits and have to pay attorneys' fees when they lose those cases.

Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Birmingham, who sponsored the bill in the House, said private lawyers would defend the law in those cases.

Rep. Berry Forte, D-Eufaula, said it's not important to display the Ten Commandments, but to live by them.

"The devil can display the Ten Commandments," Forte said.

Republicans spoke in favor of it. Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle, said more Ten Commandments displays will help serve as reminders of the nation's core values.

The bill says the Ten Commandments can be displayed as part of a larger display with other historical or education items. Unlike a regular bill, it does not require the governor's because it is a constitutional amendment.