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(Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill tonight that would set up a way to block funding for state colleges and universities that establish "sanctuary" policies and don't follow state or federal immigration laws.

The bill passed by a vote of 72-28 at about 9 p.m. after a two-hour debate.

Rep. Phil Williams, R-Huntsville, the sponsor of the bill, said he did not know of any Alabama colleges planning to adopt such policies.

Williams said that could change because he said he believes there is growing sentiment to defy laws among college students and young people who are swayed by the media and other influences.

"I believe we will see a time come when they openly defy more and more laws," said Williams, who said his bill, which he called Americans First, was a proactive measure.

Democrats denounced the bill as part of what they said was a meaningless political agenda by the Republican-led House.

Rep. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham, said Williams' bill was "a solution in search of a problem."

The bill was the second and last order of business for the House today, coming after a resolution in support for President Trump's agenda.

Republicans passed the pro-Trump resolution over the opposition of Democrats after more than three hours of debate.

Today was the third day of the legislative session and the first that lawmakers can pass bills.

House Democrats said the state faces serious problems such as what to do about overcrowded prisons, funding for Medicaid and other issues.

They accused the Republican majority of wasting time on empty legislation.

"This political agenda is insulting," Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, said. ... "We have no business here at 8 o'clock at night talking about a silly bill like this."

Williams' bill would be an addition to the controversial immigration law the Legislature passed in 2011, often referred to as HB 56.

Federal courts blocked much of that law, including a provision that required public schools to check the immigration status of students.

But Williams said much of the law remains on the books, including provisions prohibiting "sanctuary" cities.

Williams said his bill would expand those prohibitions to cover public colleges and universities.

Last week, in urging the State Government Committee to approve the bill, Williams said one reason he decided to sponsor it was a call by some students at the University of Alabama in Huntsville for sanctuary policies.

But Williams said his bill was not intended to stymie student movements. He said it would only apply to universities that adopted official "sanctuary" policies or did not follow state and federal immigration laws.

Under his bill, funding could be blocked to a college if the attorney general certified it was intentionally not following state or federal immigration laws.