Omnibus immigration bill passes House with amendments

After receiving overwhelming support in the House, an omnibus immigration bill aimed at creating barriers against undocumented immigrants finding jobs or public benefits now has veto-proof support.

SB81, which would take effect in July, 2007, underwent a slate of amendments Monday before the 56-15 vote to approve it, and sponsor Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, says he'll recommend the Senate accept the changes and work on any issues in the interim.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. had expressed concerns about the original bill but Lisa Roskelley, the governor's spokeswoman, said Monday that the bill as passed "can be a helpful tool."

One key provision, that Hickman had thought was included but isn't, would revoke the business licenses of employers who don't comply with the law. As approved, SB81 would only apply to public employers and those they contract with by requiring them to use the federal E-Verify system to check the legal status of new hires.

On that measure, Hickman said, "we have plenty of time" to include it in the interim.

Also, labor unions were concerned about a House amendment that requires them to use the federal E-verify system to check the work eligibility of their members who work for state contractors. Hickman said that issue would also be looked at in the interim.

The bill had originally been set to take effect this year, with the exception of a few business provisions. It was amended to the delayed date in the Senate to give time for a separate legislative task force to study the issue.

The task force is included in HB490, which includes interim study issues.

"We have started the process and also instituted the task force," Hickman said. "Both trains are running along the same track together."

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, tried unsuccessfully to amend the bill back to its original July, 2008, implementation.

"I've heard from my constituents, people want something done," Sandstrom said. "People are upset at the federal government for doing nothing."

Rep. Steven Mascaro, R-West Jordan, said questions about the bill's costs — $1.8 million million in the first year — as well as logistics to law enforcement and businesses are "a very clear reason why we should allow one year for this bill to implemented."