In addition to keeping an eye on Capitol Hill, FAIR’s State & Local team actively monitors immigration legislation throughout the country. See below for the state-level bills we’re watching this week.
Colorado
House Bill 1258, which repeals the Colorado law that prohibits local sanctuary policies, passed the House on March 25 and has been introduced in the Senate. It was assigned to the Judiciary Committee on March 27.
Florida
House Bill 235, which would amend Florida’s driver’s licenses statutes to allow DACA recipients to obtain a driver’s license, was voted out of the Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee (13-0) and is now in the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
Maryland
Senate Bill 715, which grants driver’s licenses or ID cards to illegal aliens who have filed a Maryland income tax return for the preceding two years (or is a dependent of someone who filed and resides in Maryland), passed the Senate and was heard in the House Judiciary Committee on March 27.
Montana
House Bill 279, the E-verify and prohibition on employing unauthorized aliens, which FAIR supported, passed the Senate (30-19) and is now on its way to the governor for signature.
Tennessee
House Bill 985, which prohibits persons who are not citizens from being admitted to polling places and requires appointed poll watchers to be citizens, passed out of the Local Government Committee and has been placed on the regular calendar for April 4, 2013 for debate and vote in the full House. A similar bill, SB 549, already passed the Senate (24-3-NV3).
Utah
House Bill 163, which strengthens Utah’s human trafficking statute, was signed by the governor on March 27.
West Virginia
House Bill 2814, which amends the state’s human trafficking statute by adding an asset forfeiture provision and immigration assistance provision, passed the House on March 22 and has been transmitted to the Senate. It was referred to the Judiciary Committee on March 25.
For more information on these state bills or to get involved, please contact FAIR’s Field Representative for your state.
