The lieutenant governor and about a dozen legislators will head to Arizona later this month to learn about the ramifications of passing a tough statewide immigration bill, including the economic impact now faced by Utah's southern neighbor.

Led by Lt. Gov. Greg Bell and Senate President Michael Waddoups, the group will meet with a variety of advocates and opponents of the Arizona law on the first day and will tour the border the second day before heading home.

"Hopefully, we'll have a better understanding of what they did and why they did it," Waddoups said. "We want to look at all of the impacts of the bill."

The trip is scheduled for Sept. 27-28, and each lawmaker is paying his or her own way. Estimates for the trip are about $700 per person, officials said.

So far, 10 lawmakers are confirmed and the mix includes six from the House and four from the Senate. Among the representatives and senators, four are Democrats.

Chris Bleak, spokesman for the House, said organizers also tried to get a wide range of geographical representation in their group, which includes Reps. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden, John Mathis, R-Vernal, and Bradley Last, R-St. George.

Utah's lawmakers will be considering immigration legislation when the session starts in January.

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom, R-Orem, has authored a bill titled the "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act" and lawmakers at the Capitol are bracing for a flurry of debate — though it's unclear if it will ultimately thrust the state into a maelstrom similar to what Arizona experienced.

The Arizona law, signed by Gov. Jan Brewer in April, brought a lot of heat on the state — including boycotts, lawsuits and material for late night talk show hosts.

The Arizona law requires state and local law enforcement to check the status of someone they "reasonably" suspect is in the United States illegally. It also targets businesses that hire day laborers who are in the country illegally.

The law has been criticized for allowing police to use racial profiling, though supporters argue it simply enforces existing federal law.

There has been an economic impact, however.

Large government entities such as Denver Public Schools and the Los Angeles Unified School District changed policy to stop employees from traveling to Arizona on official business. And the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution urging its departments not to enter into new contracts or renew existing contracts with Arizona-based businesses.

Other groups have canceled conventions in the state.

But the law is supported by a majority of Arizona voters, according to polls.

"I think we want to understand the dynamics of the law," Bleak said. "You have to weigh all of the impacts."

dmontero@sltrib.com Trip roster includes:

Lt. Gov. Greg Bell

Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville

Senate Majority Leader Scott Jenkins, R-Plain City

Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City

Sen. Karen Mayne, D-West Valley City

Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden

Rep. John Mathis, R-Vernal

Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck, D-Salt Lake City

Rep. Bradley Daw, R-Orem

Rep. Jennifer Seelig, D-Salt Lake City

Rep. Bradley Last, R-St. George