MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — With the construction business still struggling to recover from the recession, contractors in Alabama are fighting over legislation that would allow the construction of public buildings without going through the traditional competition with sealed bids.

A bill awaiting a vote Thursday in the Senate Commerce, Transportation and Utilities Committee would create a new option. A government agency would pick a construction manager and then agree on a maximum price for a project. If the project came in over the maximum price, the construction manager would have to pick up the extra cost, rather than the government entity.