TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas Senate committee has approved a proposed amendment to the state constitution to limit the power of the courts in education funding cases.

The measure passed Thursday by the Judiciary Committee would bar the courts from shutting down schools in school finance lawsuits. The Legislature also would be barred from closing schools in response to a court ruling.

The committee’s voice vote sets up a Senate debate Friday. Any proposed amendment would go on the ballot in November.

Legislators are having a special session to address a state Supreme Court ruling last month warning that schools might not be able to reopen after June 30 unless lawmakers change the education funding system.

Some Republicans are upset over the closure threat. But Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley called the proposed amendment “frivolous.”