PHOENIX (AP) - More than a dozen Arizona legislators are headed for Nogales for briefings and tours that Senate President Tim Bee says will help the lawmakers understand border and illegal immigration issues.

Bee said he organized Friday's visit because many lawmakers, particularly those not from southern Arizona, don't have the familiarity with border-related issues and facilities.

"I felt it was important that senators actually have the opportunity to go to the border and see what was happening there. Oftentimes we're up at the Capitol and unless you can go to the front lines and observe it firsthand, it's sometimes hard to put it in into practical, hands-on (terms)," added Bee.

Illegal immigration and related border concerns dominated much of the Legislature's 2006 session, with Democratic Gov. Janet Napolitano prodding the federal government to do more to secure the border but vetoing a number of state enforcement measures sponsored by Republican legislators.

Immigration and border also are concerns during the current legislative session, with little action in the Senate so far but House members preparing to vote on bills to penalize employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants and empower the governor to send National Guard troops to the border to actively deter illegal crossings.

The legislators participating in Friday's visit will tour border crossing and inspection sites, meet with local officials and be briefed on enforcement programs.

Those lawmakers going include at least six Republican senators from Maricopa County, including the Senate's majority leader and majority whip.

A year ago, Bee sponsored unsuccessful legislation for the state to appropriate $50 million for radar or other technology to detect illegal crossings. Since then, the federal government has promised additional spending of its own, he noted.

Now, Bee wants to see what's currently taking place on the border so the state doesn't duplicate federal efforts.