After being on the national back burner for the last three years, the illegal immigration issue has resurfaced again in Kentucky in the form of a bill that breezed through the state Senate in early January.

Horse industry officials discussed how the bill, which could subject employers to felony prosecution for assisting undocumented immigrants, would affect the local horse industry if approved by the state House.

"As it is written today, it could have a serious impact on all of commerce," said David Switzer, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association. "Not just the horse industry, but building trades, manufacturing, restaurants, and hospitality industry, where unfortunately there are illegal people employed."

The Kentucky immigration bill heads to a House committee. If approved by the committee, House leadership will decide whether it moves forward. In its current form, the measure, which cleared the Senate on a 24-14 vote Jan. 7, states any illegal immigrant who steps foot on Kentucky soil will be charged with a misdemeanor on a first offense and a felony with prison time on the second