Seeking to carry out a November constitutional amendment, the Florida Senate passed a measure that would require repayment of financial obligations before felons' voting rights could be restored, an issue that's been a sticking point as lawmakers grappled with one of this year's most controversial pieces of legislation.

The Senate spent about two hours in emotional debate on the measure before voting strictly along party lines and sending the proposal to the House for consideration Friday, the final day it can pass before the legislative session ends.

The constitutional amendment granted restoration of voting rights to felons “who have completed all terms of their sentence, including parole or probation.” The proposal, which appeared on the November ballot as Amendment 4, excluded people “convicted of murder or a felony sexual offense.”