ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia House committee has signed off on a bill that would push regional votes on a tax hike to fund transportation projects to the November 2012 general election.

The House Transportation Committee approved the bill unanimously Wednesday. It now goes to the Rules Committee.

Gov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed are among those who support the move, saying it will give more voters an opportunity to weigh in. The vote is now set to take place during next year's July primary.

The plan divides the state into 12 regions and asks voters in each to vote on whether to boost their sales tax by 1 cent to pay for a list of transportation projects approved by local officials.