Senate Bill 858 calls for the state to revoke the business license of any Missouri company who knowingly employs an illegal immigrant.

The bill's sponsor says since Washington hasn't come up with an immigration bill, Missouri has to protect it's tax payers.

"Pretty much the only thing we can do legally, because federal law trumps state law, is on the business side deal with the licenses," said Sen. Scott Rupp R-Wentzville. "On the public benefits side, make sure we are not providing benefits that could go to hard working Missouri families to those here illegally."

In addition to Rupp's bill, the Senate heard several other bills on immigration issues. All of the bill's sponsors say they hope to combine their efforts.