Topeka ? The Kansas House on Thursday advanced a bill aimed at making it easier to establish corporate hog farms.

Currently, state law requires a countywide vote on swine production facilities.

Under House Bill 2502, county commissioners could approve or reject resolutions on hog farms. Then an election on the issue could be held if 5 percent of the number of voters in the previous secretary of state election signed a protest petition.

Supporters of the bill said it would help the economy by attracting more hog farms and make the rules for approving hog farms and dairy operations the same.

State Rep. Sharon Schwartz, R-Washington, said she visited with the ambassador of Vietnam and that country needs to expand agricultural operations to feed its fast-growing population.

But opponents said they thought the current law is better because it gives residents an automatic vote before a swine production operation is put in place.

The measure was accepted on a voice vote and requires another vote before being sent to the Senate for consideration.