Background
The Kansas SB 458, introduced by Senator Peggy Palmer, was originally crafted to deter illegal immigration into Kansas. Oklahoma, Colorado and Missouri have passed similar legislation, leaving many Kansans concerned that their state will become a magnet for illegal immigrants.
Its original provisions included new regulations, including:
(See Illegal Immigration Topic of Senate Hearing, WIBW.com, 2/27/2008)
After accepting verbal and written testimony for and against the original bill, the State and Federal Affairs Committee of the Senate removed almost all anti-illegal immigration provisions, with the exception of those related to criminal or criminal-sexual regulations.
**Click here for a list of those providing testimony OPPOSING SB 458**
On the full Senate floor a motion to overturn the amended (substitute) bill and to return to the original bill, was defeated, 27 to 12.
The tally for that vote is as follows:
NO vote=keep the gutted bill (supported by the Chamber of Commerce), NOT GOOD
YES vote=Supports anti-illegal immigration. (return to the original bill)
REPUBLICANS VOTING YES
Jim Barnett, Emporia.
Les Donovan, Wichita.
Tim Huelskamp, Fowler.
Nick Jordan, Shawnee.
Phil Journey, Haysville.
Ralph Ostmeyer, Grinnell.
Peggy Palmer, Augusta.
Mike Petersen, Wichita.
Dennis Pyle, Hiawatha.
Mark Taddiken, Clifton.
REPUBLICANS VOTING NO
Barbara Allen, Overland Park.
Pat Apple, Louisburg.
Karin Brownlee, Olathe.
Terry Bruce, Hutchinson.
Pete Brungardt, Salina.
Jay Scott Emler, Lindsborg.
Carolyn McGinn, Sedgwick.
Steve Morris, Hugoton.
Roger Pine, Lawrence.
Roger Reitz, Manhattan.
Derek Schmidt, Independence.
Vicki Schmidt, Topeka.
Jean Schodorf, Wichita.
Ruth Teichman, Stafford.
Dwayne Umbarger, Thayer.
John Vratil, Leawood.
Susan Wagle, Wichita.
Dennis Wilson, Overland Park.
David Wysong, Mission Hills.
REPUBLICANS NOT VOTING
Julia Lynn, Olathe.
DEMOCRATS VOTING YES
Jim Barone, Frontenac.
Mark Gilstrap, Kansas City.
DEMOCRATS VOTING NO
Donald Betts, Wichita.
Marci Francisco, Lawrence.
Greta Goodwin, Winfield.
David Haley, Kansas City.
Anthony Hensley, Topeka.
Laura Kelly, Topeka.
Janis Lee, Kensington.
Chris Steineger, Kansas City.
Disposition of SB 458
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As of this writing, May 21, 2008, the bill-SB 458 as weakened by amendments- is listed on the Kansas Legislature official website (www.KSLegislature.org) at the close of the 2007/2008 session as having passed the Senate, but is not listed as having been signed into law. (see Status of Senate Bills at the official Kansas Legislature site)
Kansas City Star
5/08/2008
http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/story/611365.html?appSession=105492052365885
Immigration reform (SB 458) - The Kansas Senate listens to the business community, rejecting calls to hold businesses more accountable for illegal immigration. After nearly six hours of debate, the Senate votes on an illegal immigration bill that's much less ambitious than one proposed in January. Instead of new mandates for business and criminal penalties for those who knowingly hire illegal workers, the bill includes new criminal penalties for human trafficking, the exploitation of illegal immigrants and employment identity fraud. It also would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving many public benefits and create an illegal immigration unit in the attorney general's office. Under the bill, businesses found to knowingly hire illegal immigrants could be found in contempt of court and face civil penalties. They wouldn't, however, risk losing their business licenses. Passed 40-0.
