NASHVILLE (AP) - A Republican lawmaker who did not vote on legislation intended to stop Occupy Nashville protesters from staying overnight at the Capitol complex says the measure is too broad.

Rep. Frank Niceley of Strawberry Plains was the only Republican who didn't vote for the GOP-backed proposal that passed the House 70-26 on Thursday. The companion bill is scheduled for the Senate floor next week.

Protesters have camped at the plaza since early October. But their numbers have drastically decreased, mainly because of the proposed legislation that would make it a misdemeanor to lay down "bedding for the purpose of sleeping" on state-owned property.

It refers to items associated with camping, "including tents, portable toilets, sleeping bags, tarps, propane heaters, cooking equipment and generators."

Under the legislation, violators would be fined as much as $2,500 and face up to nearly a year in jail. Opponents say the penalt y is excessive.

Niceley said the bill goes too far. He said people traveling through Tennessee that are unfamiliar with the legislation, and decide to camp out, "might accidentally get on some public land."

"I didn't want them to be able to come by and harass them or rough them up," he said. "I'd rather limit it to the plaza out here."