KTRV Fox 12 Recent Legislation

Recent Legislation

Boise, Idaho -- Discussing Immigration at the Statehouse Sunday, the public was invited to learn more about a new bill.

State Senator Michael Jorgenson says he was excited by the number of supporters at the weekend meeting.

Otherwise known as "Enforcement Through Attrition Act," the bill would require use of the free online computer program called "E-Verify."  The system allows employers to get an instant answer whether an employee is able to work legally in the United States.

Jorgenson wanted the meeting to raise awareness for the bill. He invited University of Missouri Law Professor Kris Kobach to speak on behalf of E-Verify Internet System.

"What's happening right now is some of the good employers who are trying to follow the law, they're already using E-Verify, but they're getting undercut by employers who are willfully breaking the law and hiring unauthorized aliens so they can pay them lower wages," said Kobach.

The bill would require employers to use the E-Verify system, which Kobach says would level the playing field for everyone in Idaho. He says similar bills have had a positive effect in Arizona, Mississippi and South Carolina.

This bill goes to the Senate State Affairs tomorrow.

Another important piece of legislation passed in the house Friday. Known as the "Grandparenting Bill," it will help out grandparents who find themselves raising their grandchildren.

The bill would make a priority list for foster care, putting fit and willing grandparents first in line and expedite the approval process for them. It will also give grandparents more help to become foster parents, when the parent hasn't been keeping a relationship with the child for one year.

Jorgenson said that bill will probably be coming to the floor sometime this week.