MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A proposed gas tax increase has cleared its first hurdle in the Alabama Legislature.

The House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday approved the legislation. It now moves to the full House of Representatives for more debate.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is proposing a 10-cent-a-gallon gas tax increase to fund road and bridge construction. The increase would be phased in over three years.

The committee approved the bill on a voice vote.

Republican Rep. Bill Poole, who is sponsoring the legislation, told committee members that the state must address the problem of crumbling infrastructure. Poole says “doing nothing” will cost the state jobs and lives.

Alabama has not increased its gas tax since 1992.

The full House could vote on the bill as soon as Friday.