Wednesday, February 24, 2010

HB 227 Passes Utah House

Another step on the way to remove some incentive and enticement for illegal aliens to come or stay in Utah.

After being defeated on Thursday and reconsideration failing the following day, a veritable floods of Emails from the voters brought HB 227, Licensing Eligibility, back to the House floor under suspension of rules late Monday. 

An amendment was added, to offset some of the critcism of the bill, to clarify the "applicant" that must declare their "lawful presence in the United States" to apply "for a new business license issued by a municipality or a county."

With a good discussion, the vote continued its seesaw support finally passing 38-36-1 after a "call of the House" requiring absent Representatives to be found to vote.

Those voting in FAVOR

YEAS - 38


Aagard; Barrus; Bigelow; Brown; Clark, D.; Daw; Dee; Draxler; Dunnigan; Edwards; Ferry; Fisher, Julie; Frank; Froerer; Gibson, F; Gibson, K; Greenwood; Grover;  Herrod; Hughes; Hutchings;  Ipson; Lockhart; Kiser; Last; Mathis; Morley; Newbold; Noel; Oda; Painter; Ray;  Sandstrom; Sumsion; Vickers; Wallis; Wilcox; Wimmer;

Friday, February 12, 2010

2010 Utah Legislation on Illegal Aliens

Update: 18 Feb Failed on the floor of the House 40-32-3

Update: First substitute HB 227 was passed 8-5 in committee and now goes to the House floor

Another attempt to prevent illegal aliens from receiving benefits from their presence in Utah has been introduced:

HB0227 Licensing Eligibility Sponsored by Rep. Steve Sandstrom "requires an applicant for a business license issued by a municipality or a county to provide the municipality's or county's business licensing agency with documentation of the applicant's lawful presence in the United States; and requires an applicant for a license issued by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing to provide the division with an affidavit stating that the applicant is a citizen or lawfully present in the United States."

This bill would better ensure compliance with federal law.

The first committe hearing (audio) was held 5 Feb. and raised such specious arguments that it would lead to problems with isssuing library cards and onerous requirements on license issuers (such as showing a valid Driver's License).  There was also a discussion on the the bills relationship to SB81.  The failure of compliance is SB 81 was discussed (for more on compliance)

It also raised a question on license renewal versus new issuance, the bill was held to clarify the answer.

A similar bill (HB 262) failed in committee last year by the same representatives by a 5-7-2 vote.