TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Students from certain private schools in three Jacksonville-area counties could participate in sports at public schools on a trial basis under a bill passed by the House.

Only students from schools that are not members of the Florida High School Athletic Association and don't have sports programs could take part.

After two years, the association and participating school districts would report on how the pilot program went and make recommendations for expanding it statewide.

The Senate previously passed the bill (SB 526) as a statewide program but the House amended it to the two-year pilot project in Duval, Nassau and Bradford counties. The House passed it 75-to-41. Both chambers must agree to the same language for the bill to go to the governor.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)