On a party-line vote, the Iowa House Labor Committee passed an amended version of the controversial “choice of doctor” bill after a public hearing on the proposal Tuesday night.

The bill changes Iowa workers’ compensation law would so employees would have the right to designate a doctor to treat them for workplace injuries. It will now go before the full House. A similar bill passed the Senate Labor Committee last month.

Though Democrats hold a 56-44 advantage in the House, passing the doctor-choice legislation promises to be a challenge. Last month, Democrats failed to hold together enough votes to pass another labor-backed bill that would have required contractors to pay the same hourly wages and benefits on public projects as they would pay on private sector projects. Five Demcorats voted against the measure and one, Geri Huser of Altoona, said she would not support it but was out of state during the vote.

House Labor Committee Chairman Rick Olson, D-Des Moines, said the full House probably won’t take the matter up this week. It is expected, however, that other pieces of labor legislation, particularly an expanstion of public-sector collective bargaining, will be brought up in committee before the week is done. Last year, a collective bargaining bill was passed in both chambers before being vetoed by Gov. Chet Culver.

Labor leaders say communication has improved with the governor since his veto and if passed through the legislature, a collective bargainging bill will be signed.