Ballots are in the mail and Tucson voters will soon choose whether to make their city the only so-called sanctuary city in Arizona, but legislators are already threatening to crack down if the city votes yes on Nov. 5.

Though Arizona legislators banned local governments from adopting “sanctuary city” policies in 2010 under controversial Senate Bill 1070, several Republican lawmakers have proposed tightening its provisions in response to Tucson’s ballot measure.

Backers say Proposition 205 merely would put into law many guidelines the city has already adopted as a self-proclaimed immigrant-welcoming city.

The measure would limit police from asking about immigration status at sensitive locations like courthouses and hospitals or using race or language as a pretext to ask people about their immigration status.

The city attorney contends the proposition would directly clash with Senate Bill 1070; for example, by prohibiting police officers from participating “in any law enforcement activity, investigation, or enforcement action, the purpose of which is to determine a person’s immigration status."

In turn, state Rep. Jay Lawrence, R-Scottsdale, said Wednesday that he would sponsor legislation to bar cities, towns and counties from adopting policies that would prohibit certain types of immigration enforcement.

Lawrence also signaled he would be open to combining forces with colleagues interested in toughening the penalties on local governments that adopt “sanctuary city” policies.

State Rep. Bret Roberts, R-Maricopa, said in August he would back legislation to hold municipalities liable for harm or damage caused by unauthorized immigrants under "sanctuary city" laws.

“Because one city’s decision to ignore immigration laws could have public safety and fiscal implications for the entire state, there needs to be not only consequences for sanctuary cities in Arizona but also a clear recourse for citizens to seek restitution,” Roberts said in announcing his plan. “If its voters decide to make Tucson a sanctuary city, they should be responsible for those costs.”

Rep. John Kavanaugh, R-Fountain Hills, proposed a similar idea on Tuesday.

The ACLU of Arizona, which is supporting Proposition 205, said it would fight the legislation lawmakers have suggested in recent days and weeks.

“These bills are nothing but disgusting, fear-mongering attacks clearly meant to intimidate the bold Tucsonans who organized and support Proposition 205,” said Marcela Taracena, communications director for the ACLU of Arizona.

More legislation on "sanctuary cities" could become another front in the ongoing fight between city governments and the Legislature, which has sought to preempt the power of local officials on a range of issues, from gun laws to the minimum wage.

Over the past several years, the Legislature has passed laws, for example, to bar cities from banning plastic bags or enacting tighter restrictions on Airbnb rentals than is allowed under state law.

Contact Andrew Oxford at andrew.oxford@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter at @andrewboxford.