NASHVILLE (AP) – A proposal that would require agencies to verify that applicants for public benefits are legal residents is headed to the governor for his consideration.

The measure was sent to Gov. Bill Haslam on Tuesday after the Senate voted 29-0 to concur with minor changes made by the House.

The legislation was delayed in the House last year because the cost of the measure was a little over $1 million. But House sponsor Joe Carr, R-Lascassas, told The Associated Press earlier this week that the tab has been reduced to around $100,000.

He said every applicant won't have to be verified because there are other processes in place to prove legal residence.

Sponsors say the intention is to make sure that individuals lawfully in Tennessee get the benefits first.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.