MONTPELIER — Vermont lawmakers, having second thoughts about a bill that would grant anonymity to donors to the University of Vermont and state colleges, voted Friday to table the measure.

Bowing to criticism, the state Senate ordered the bill to lie, meaning it could be amended and resurrected later or just left to die when lawmakers adjourn. Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin said it will not be passed.

"I think there's been a general agreement that's been reached that we're just going to let the bill fade into infamy," said state Sen. Richard Sears, D-Bennington.

The University of Vermont, which has historically granted anonymity to donors but wants a law that specifically OKs it, has pressed lawmakers to enact the provision, saying privacy safeguards were needed. Critics say giving donors anonymity could unduly influence the institutions.

The measure, which was added to a bill dealing with changes in the state archives, would cover UVM, the state colleges and the Vermont Student Assistance Corp.

The confidentiality provision, which is only for those who seek it, wouldn't be available if a donor does more than $10,000 worth of business with UVM within three years of making the gift. It was passed in both chambers but came under increased scrutiny as it neared final approval.

"The pendulum has swung," said state Sen. Vincent Illuzzi. "It was one of the first bills that passed the Senate this year and very frankly, a lot of people did not understand the significance of the exemption," said Illuzzi, R-Essex-Orleans.

Supporters say public disclosure of who gives what to the colleges could discourage would-be donors or expose those giving large amounts to unwarranted attention. Critics say anonymous donations — especially big ones — can give influence to behind-the-scenes individuals.

"The example I give is if Bernie Madoff and (drug manufacturer) Pfizer gave large grants to UVM, who also accept taxpayer dollars, doesn't the public have a right to know?" said Shumlin, a Democratic candidate for governor who has vowed to kill the measure.

Gov. James Douglas thinks it should be passed.

"The state doesn't give as much to our university and colleges as I would like, or as I have recommended in some years, and .... now we're going to say you can't accept all contributions from donors that come your way because of the restriction on anonymity?" he said Friday.

"You can't have it both ways or all ways, and I think without the right to withhold the identity of the donor then it puts the university and the state colleges at a disadvantage with respect to their private counterparts."

State Sen. Jeanette White, who is a trustee at the University of Vermont, said she's not giving up yet. She said the Senate Government Operations Committee she chairs may take more testimony on it.

"I'm chagrined that so much has been made out of this bill, which I believe the intent (of) is just to protect individual people's privacy," said White, D-Windham.