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A bill that would require contractors to pay prevailing wage for construction projects at public colleges and universities was approved by the Oregon Senate, with a 27-2 vote on Tuesday.

Phil Knight and other Nike executives were silent this time. However, when House Bill 2646 went to the House floor on March 21, Nike executives launched a last-minute attempt to scuttle the legislation. It was nonetheless approved by the House with a 47-10 vote.

Tom Powers, communications director for the Senate Majority Office, said there were no such last-minute lobbying efforts this time.

Because Senate Business and Transportation Committee members made some minor changes in the bill, Powers said the legislation needs to go back to the House for a concurrence vote before it is forwarded to Gov. John Kitzhaber for his signature.

Powers said Knight, co-founder of Nike, dislikes the fact that the bill could drive up the costs of projects such as the $200 million Matthew Knight Arena at the University of Oregon. Knight was the chief donor for the project, which was completed in 2011 and named in honor of his late son. He also is a major donor to the university in general.

State law already requires that prevailing wage by paid for campus projects, but only when they’re funded publicly. House Bill 2646 would expand the law to include projects that use private donations.

“The requirement of paying prevailing wage on university projects has come under legal question when those projects are not publicly funded, depending upon how the project is structured,” said state Sen. Chris Edwards, D-Eugene, who carried the bill on the Senate floor. “This bill would bring clarity and would require prevailing wage on projects built on university property whether publicly or privately funded.”

House Majority Leader Val Hoyle, D-Eugene, was another significant champion of the bill.