(WSB Radio State Capitol Bureau) -- A day after Democrats in the State Senate narrowly defeat a proposed constitutional amendment to allow Georgians to opt out of the federal health care plan, Senators vote to reconsider the measure and pass a similar bill that would do the same thing.

Sen. Judson Hill is the sponsor of both measures. Senate Bill 317 passed on a vote of 31-16.

"While I would have preferred to let Georgians vote to have their rights protected in the State Constitution, this legislation will protect Georgians in a similar way," he says.

Hudson says the bill, if passed, could be challenged in court whereas it would be more difficult to overturn a constitutional amendment.

"The last 24 hours I've received hundreds of calls and emails from people all over Georgia asking us to do one thing and that's to stand up to defend their rights... SB 317 does just that," he says.

The bill now goes the House.