LITTLE ROCK—A legislator filed a bill Tuesday that would ban illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition, state scholarships or financial aid, while another legislator is considering a bill that would have nearly the opposite effect.

The bill filed by Rep. Bill Sample, R-Hot Springs, says that illegal immigration “is a factor that can lead to economic hardship” and that the state shouldn’t encourage illegal immigration by providing public benefits without properly verifying someone’s residency.

The bill—called “The Arkansas Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act”—mirrors legislation already on the books in Oklahoma, which has one of the toughest laws in the nation against illegal immigration.

Meanwhile, Sen. Joyce Elliott said she’s still considering whether to file a bill making the children of illegal immigrants eligible for in-state tuition. She filed similar legislation during the 2005 session, when it made it out of the House but failed in the Senate.

“The moral imperative to do this is strong but the economic reasons for doing it are also so, so strong,” said Elliott, D-Little Rock.

Elliott said she hadn’t read Sample’s bill but that she’ll oppose it, based on what she’s heard.

“The fact is, we’ve been a humane state. We’ve not been one that’s designed to punish people. And I think, in our efforts to be responsible, we don’t have to be draconian in those efforts,” Elliott said. “I’m deeply disappointed and I’m sorry we’re even going to contemplate some of the things that I understand are in the bill.”

Under Sample’s measure, anyone who conceals, harbors or shelters from detection an illegal immigrant would be subject to felony prosecution. A similar bill taken up during the last Arkansas legislative session died in a Senate committee after getting a 63-25 vote in the House.

Sample’s bill would also create a fraudulent documents identification unit within Arkansas State Police to target people or groups that provide fake IDs and paperwork for illegal immigrants. The bill would also require authorities to check the residency status of anyone charged with a felony or driving while intoxicated.

The measure also requires public employers to verify the work eligibility status of every contracted employee hired after July 1 of this year. The bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary Committee.