ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland senator says his chamber could take a final vote on legislation to legalize gay marriage later this week.

Sen. Brian Frosh said the Judicial Proceedings Committee is expected to vote Tuesday on a bill passed by the House of Delegates last week that would allow same-sex couples to marry.

Frosh, a Montgomery County Democrat, expects the bill to pass out of his committee and said amendments to the bill are unlikely to gain traction.

The House cleared a long-standing hurdle to same-sex unions Friday, passing the legislation by just one more vote than required, 72 to 67.

Opponents have vowed to take the measure to referendum should it pass and be signed into law. Last year the state Senate passed a similar bill 25 to 21.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)