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SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah officials want to see up close how Arizona's new illegal immigration law is working, as the Legislature considers new proposals here.
Lt. Governor Greg Bell says it's vital to get some background and do some research.
"This will be one of the hot topics in the legislature, if not the hot topic" next session, he said.
Bell and 12 legislators from both parties will fly to Arizona Sept. 27 and fly back the following night. They will meet with people on all sides of the debate, looking at the impetus for the law, the pros and cons, and the fallout.
"We want to talk to the advocates form the Latino community, we want to talk to the business community, we want to talk to the convention and business bureau as they've lost some business," Bell said. "We just want to understand the whole topic."
Bell says there are differences, though, between Arizona and Utah.
"I think you will see a kinder, gentler approach, but we want to talk to people," he said.
On Tuesday the group expects to meet with Border Patrol and go along the border with Mexico.
Bell says the cheapest option was to take a state plane, but the House and Senate members will pay their own way for the plane and hotel.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
