COLUMBUS, Ohio- The first hearings are now scheduled as the Ohio House prepares to begin its work on controversial Senate Bill 5.

The opening hearing will be held late Tuesday afternoon, before the House Commerce and Labor Committee. The hearings will continue Wednesday and Thursday.

House Speaker William Batchelder says he's hoping for at least three weeks of hearings on the bill, which would limit collective bargaining for some 350-thousand Ohio teachers, firefighters, police, and other public employees.

The legislation squeaked through the state Senate last week on a 17-16 vote.