Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman is again pushing for a requirement that state and local agencies verify residents are here legally before providing them with public benefits.

On Friday, state Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber introduced a bill (LB403) in the Legislature, on Heineman's behalf. Among the benefits covered in the bill are food assistance, unemployment, public housing, welfare and retirement.

Unlike a similar bill pushed by Heineman last year that was not approved, it would not also repeal a law that allows children of illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition.

Critics of the bill last year said immigrants already are prohibited under a 1996 federal law from receiving most state benefits.