MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- An Alabama House committee is expected to vote on proposed legislation supported by Republican Gov. Robert Bentley that would allow for creation of publicly funded charter schools.

Those schools would be given flexibility not currently afforded to regular public schools.

After holding two days of sometimes contentious hearings on the proposed legislation, the House Ways and Means-Education Committee plans to vote Wednesday on the bill by Republican Rep. Phil Williams of Huntsville.

Democratic Rep. Patricia Todd of Birmingham said Tuesday she was concerned charter schools would offer programs to help some struggling students, while others would continue to fail in regular schools.

Committee chairman Republican Rep. Jay Love of Montgomery said Alabama schools have failed some students and that charter schools would make new options available to those children.