Topeka ? The House passed a bill giving security officers at the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant a license to kill if terrorists attack.

The 93-27 vote Thursday sent the measure to the Senate.

The bill gives guards protecting the nuclear plant near Burlington legal protection for using physical or deadly force to stop those attempting to enter the state’s only commercial nuclear facility and cause harm.

The plant owner also would be protected from civil liability, provided guards are properly trained and reasonably believe there is a clear and present threat.

The bill does not address liability for guards at other potential targets, such as chemical plants, feedlots or critical infrastructure.

Supporters cited the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the threat of future attacks as the need for the legislation. They said they didn’t want a situation in which terrorists could launch an attack and later file a lawsuit against Wolf Creek’s operators and guards for defending the plant.

But Rep. Josh Svaty, D-Ellsworth, who voted “no,” said the bill eliminates Wolf Creek’s incentive to hire the best security officers.