MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- The Alabama Senate has passed a bill to legalize charter schools, but only in the state's four largest cities.

The Senate voted 23-12 for the bill Wednesday night. It now goes to the House.

The bill written by Republican Sen. Dick Brewbaker of Pike Road doesn't allow new charter schools. Charters schools would have to be existing, low-performing public schools that are converted to charter schools.

The conversions would have to be recommended by the local school superintendent and approved by the local legislators. A charter school would have to accept students who attended the old public school. It could also accept students from other school zones in the city.

The bill limits charter schools to Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile.