Topeka ? Senators have approved a key piece of Gov. Sam Brownback’s plan for helping revive rural Kansas counties experiencing declining population.

The bill advancing Thursday would grant a five-year individual income tax abatement to people who move from other states to any of 50 Kansas counties facing declining population.

The vote was 34-5, sending the proposal to the House, which is considering a similar version.

The program would be a pilot project for five years. It applies to counties that have had an 8 percent decline in population over the past decade, or has fewer than 12,000 residents.

Brownback’s proposal was for 40 counties that had 10 percent declines in population.