NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A bill that would end limits on total political action committee (PAC) contributions to Tennessee candidates passed the state Senate on Monday.

SB 3645 passed 18-11, and would delete language in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 2-10-302 that sets total contributions from PACs to candidates at $75,000, and prohibits statewide candidates from accepted more than 50% of their campaign contributions from PACs.

An individual PAC would still be limited at $7,500 for statewide candidates and $5,000 for local candidates, but the total amount of campagin contributions from PACs for candidates would be unlimited.

The bill also eliminates the requirement for candidates to notify election officials of large donations ten before an election, and removes the prohibition on insurance companies from contributing to political campaigns.

The House version, HB 3281, will be on the State & Local Government subcommitteee calendar Wednesday.

SB 3645 is sponsored by Sen. Bo Watson (R-Hixson), HB 3281 is sponsored by Rep. Debra Young Maggart (R-Hendersonville).