SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 46 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 10, 2006 Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study the impact of undocumented immigrants who are unlawfully in the United States and residing in Virginia on the state's economy and government services and resources. Report. ---------- Patron-- O'Brien ---------- Referred to Committee on Rules ----------

WHEREAS, a study conducted by the Urban Institute found that of the approximately 34.5 million foreign-born persons living in the United States, over 9 million (20 percent) are undocumented immigrants; and

WHEREAS, that same study estimated that the number of undocumented immigrants who are unlawfully in the United States that reside in Virginia may be between 175,000 and 200,000; and

WHEREAS, the potential exists for such a substantial number of persons to have an extensively adverse impact on the state's economy and the resources and services provided by the state and local government agencies; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to develop clear data on the number of undocumented immigrants residing in Virginia and the impact on the state's economy and government resources; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission be directed to study the impact of undocumented immigrants who are unlawfully in the United States and residing in Virginia on the state's economy and government services and resources. In conducting its study, the Commission shall (i) develop an estimate of the number of undocumented immigrants who are unlawfully in the United States and residing in Virginia, (ii) the effect of such individuals on state and local resources and services, (iii) costs and benefits to the state's economy, and (iv) other trends and issues associated with the population.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission for this study, upon request.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2006, and the Chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2007 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Commission intends to submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.