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Committee advances bill prohibiting state tax dollars from going to people not legally present in U.S.
Summary
Senate Bill 151, which would bar recipients who are not legally present in the United States from receiving tax dollars appropriated by the General Assembly, passed the committee after debate over enforcement mechanisms and scope.
Senate Bill 151, a one‑page proposal that would bar recipients who are not legally present in the United States from receiving tax dollars appropriated by the General Assembly, advanced out of the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism and Labor with a favorable recommendation after debate about enforcement and scope.
"It simply says that, those who are legally present in The United States Of America shall not be the recipient of tax dollars appropriated by the general assembly," Committee Chair Tom Wheeler said while presenting the one‑page bill. Wheeler said the Office of Homeland Security would be tasked with investigating state job sites and other places where tax dollars are spent to ensure compliance.
Committee members questioned the mechanics of enforcement and whether the measure would change existing contract and appropriation rules. "Would this prohibit making sure they didn't get paid to a corporation that then, in fact, hires illegal immigrants, or is this just making sure that illegal immigrants can't contract directly with Kentucky?" asked a committee member. Wheeler answered, "I think it would prohibit both."
Senator Yates said he shared the bill's premise but said he wanted more time to review the mechanics and indicated he planned to vote no, and Senator Thomas later said he also would vote no for now while he reviewed the measure. Other committee members, including Senators Boswell, Funke Frohmire, Girdler, Howe, Maiden and Nunn, recorded yes votes on the roll call as the committee moved the bill forward. Chair Wheeler recorded, "I vote aye."
The transcript records debate centered on whether there is evidence Kentucky tax dollars are currently being paid directly to people not legally present and on how state procurement or appropriation processes would detect or prevent such payments. The committee adopted the measure with a favorable report to the Senate; the committee transcript does not include a complete, line‑by‑line implementation plan or a statutory citation for enforcement.
