Morgan wants to look at immigration costs

Rep. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, is taking a step back from her plans to require the state attorney general to seek federal reimbursement for the cost of illegal immigration.

Instead, Morgan wants the state's top attorney to evaluate the costs, and report the findings to lawmakers before next year's legislative session.

"I decided it would be better to do a study, and then recommend a course of action," Morgan said of the substituted version of HB320. "Before the next legislative session, we'll have a better idea of what we can and should do."

The bill was substituted Tuesday and referred to the House's Political Subdivisions Committee for a hearing.

Morgan said the attorney general's study would be different than one proposed last week by Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake, because it will be looking specifically at costs to the state of providing federally mandated services. McCoy wants the state to take a comprehensive look at the costs and benefits of undocumented immigrants.

"Mine wants to have the attorney general do a study to find out what we can do to get some money back from the federal government," Morgan said.