Legislators from Arizona to address national conference
Photographer: Aaron Wische
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 08/09/2011
SAN ANTONIO, TX - Legislators from state houses across the country are gathering this week in San Antonio for the annual National Conference of State Legislatures summit.
More than 150 policy sessions are planned to discuss issues facing state governments, including shrinking budgets, health care, education and immigration.
A new report released today from NCSL's Immigrant Policy Project shows every state in the nation addressed immigrant issues during the 2011 legislative session.
According to the “2011 Immigration-Related Laws and Resolutions in the States” report, state legislatures enacted 151 laws and adopted 95 resolutions for a total of 246 measures as of June 30, 2011.
Twelve additional bills passed but were vetoed by governors. An additional 10 bills were pending governors’ approval and are not included in the report.
The report found law enforcement, identification/driver’s licenses and employment were the top issues addressed in state legislation related to immigrants.
Five states—Alabama, Georgia, Indiana South Carolina and Utah—enacted laws following the example of Arizona’s SB 1070. In four of these five states, immigration enforcement laws have been challenged in court, citing federal preemption and violation of the Fourth and 14th Amendments.
Immigration will be front and center on Wednesday, when Arizona Senator Rich Crandall participates in a session titled "Testing the Constitution: State Immigration Laws and the Courts." The session will focus on recent court arguments and decisions affecting state level immigration laws.
Senate Majority Leader Andy Biggs, House Speaker Andy Tobin, Sr. and Senator Nancy Barto are also scheduled to participate in sessions about health reform, the changing role of state government and leadership during tough times.
The conference will also feature speeches from Texas Governor Rick Perry, the crew of the most recent Atlantis space shuttle mission, author and motivational speaker Jim Collins and Academy Award Winner and UN Goodwill Ambassador Mira Sorvino.
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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