ATLANTA (AP) -- Lawmakers have started last-minute negotiations on a bill that would restrict women from getting abortions in Georgia five months into a pregnancy.

The bill appeared to stall after the Senate loosened a more restrictive House version of the legislation. House Speaker David Ralston had accused the Senate of deciding to "tuck and run" on the issue.

But on Thursday, Ralston and Senate President Casey Cagle appointed lawmakers to a committee that will negotiate on the bill.

The House version would ban abortion five months after conception except for when pregnancies threaten the life or physical health of the mother. Senate lawmakers loosened the legislation so doctors could perform abortions after five months if they diagnosed a fetus with a fatal defect.