Chances that nonunion members will have to pay fees to unions for negotiating labor deals appear slim.

After hours of sometimes heated debate over the last few days, state lawmakers decided Thursday to stop debating the bill (LB57) and take it up again in April.

Supporters of the bill from Sen. Don Preister of Omaha have said nonunion members unfairly get labor deals negotiated by unions for free. Opponents said the bill would threaten the state’s status as a “right to work” state where employees can’t be forced to join unions.

The proposed law would only apply to employers that agreed with unions to assess the fees.