A bill designed to make it easier to create charter schools over the objections of local leaders passed the Georgia Senate on Wednesday.

But the vote was not necessarily good news for supporters.

Before approving the bill, senators amended it, and the change could be a big one. The amendment comes on the next-to-last day of the 2008 session, which could make it difficult to reach a compromise before lawmakers adjourn the session Friday.

The measure would create a state commission that could approve a new charter school if local officials deny an application.

House supporters, however, worry that the amendment is designed to kill it. The amendment would not allow the new commission to create a charter school in a district already established as a charter school system. That commission also would not be able to create such a school where an application for a charter system had been filed.

In calling for passage of the amended bill, Sen. Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody) said, "This legislation is important to allow families to have true local control."

But it was Weber's amendment that upset House sponsors.

Weber and Rep. Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta), the bill's co-sponsor, exchanged heated words in the back of the Senate chamber Wednesday about an hour before it came up for debate. As Lindsey turned to leave, Weber called angrily after him: "Come back here!"

Later, Weber and Lindsey would not discuss the argument, but Lindsey said Weber "is a good friend."

Charter school districts were created last year under legislation championed by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.

Weber's amendment is seen as protecting those systems, but the bill's supporters see it as limiting the legislation's effectiveness and killing competition between charter schools.

Rep. Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta), the co-sponsor of the bill, said Cagle was responsible for the amendment. "It's a poison pill," she said.

Jones said she thinks Cagle sees the bill as competing with his charter school systems.

"Casey Cagle's staff assured me two weeks ago they were OK with it," she said. Wednesday morning, however, a member of Cagle's staff brought her a copy of Weber's amendment.

But Cagle's spokeswoman said the lieutenant governor supports Jones' bill. Cagle "has been a champion of charter schools, believing that it is important to support choice and innovation in education," Jaillene Hunter said.

The bill will complement the charter systems Cagle helped create in 2007, Hunter said.

Cagle "looks forward to seeing more children in Georgia afforded the opportunity to attend charter schools," she said.

Because of the amendment, a House bill that passed that chamber overwhelmingly is in danger of dying.

Jones said the House will formally disagree with the Senate amendment, a procedural move that sends it back to the Senate, where senators probably will insist on their version.

The differences then would be negotiated in conference committee.

But Jones said she was not sure that Cagle would appoint Senate negotiators first before the Legislature adjourns.