TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- The Kansas House has approved legislation that would allow consolidation talks among multiple school districts.

The 121-1 vote on Wednesday sends the bill to the Senate for consideration.

The measure would allow three or more districts to hold talks on forming two new districts. An existing law permits consolidation talks only between two districts.

Legislators said the change would help in particularly sparse, low-enrollment districts where distance between the current district and merged schools becomes a barrier to consolidation.

If it becomes law later this session, districts would have the authority to speak with multiple districts on how best to divide their territory and students.