NASHVILLE (AP) – The House has passed a bill to require that the school year could no longer start before the fourth Monday in August, but not before lawmakers adopted changes to exempt dozens of counties.

The measure sponsored by Democratic Rep. John Deberry of Memphis ultimately passed 71-23 after extensive debate on Monday evening. The bill was opposed by 11 Republicans, 11 Democrats and one independent.

The measure now heads back to the Senate to try to reconcile differences between the two versions.

The upper chamber passed its version of the bill on a 24-5 vote last week.

Republican Rep. Richard Montgomery of Sevierville said enacting the bill would promote tourism in Tennessee and standardize the school calendar around the state.

Online: Read SB1471 at: www.capitol.tn.gov

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