ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The Maryland Senate has passed a measure designed to help foster public-private partnerships on big projects like roads and public buildings.

The Senate voted 26-20 for the measure on Monday.

The Senate bill is the same proposal Gov. Martin O’Malley’s administration submitted.

The House of Delegates made some significant changes to the bill earlier this session to allow legal appeals to be heard on an expedited track before the Court of Special Appeals, the state’s intermediate appellate court.

That provision would be retroactive to apply to the State Center project in Baltimore. The change brought criticism from some lawmakers who say it confers special legal benefits for certain companies.

The differences between the two bills will need to be worked out before Monday’s midnight adjournment.

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