Ariz. lawmakers vote to let leaders defend SB1070

Associated Press | Posted: Thursday, February 3, 2011 2:55 pm

Majority Republicans in the Arizona Legislature are moving to authorize legislative leaders to participate in court proceedings to SB1070.

That's the Arizona law enacted to target illegal immigration.

With Democrats voting in opposition, the House on Thursday approved a Senate-passed bill. It would allow the House speaker and the Senate president to have lawyers begin a legal proceeding or appear in court on behalf of the Legislature in any challenge to the law.

The bill now returns to the Senate to be sent to Gov. Jan Brewer. It takes effect immediately if Brewer signs it.

Brewer and state Attorney General Tom Horne are already participating in federal court proceedings involving legal challenges to the law.

Current Senate President Russell Pearce was the chief sponsor of SB1070.

http://azstarnet.com