State legislation proposing to establish an armed, volunteer militia to patrol the Arizona-Mexico border for undocumented immigrants and drug traffickers will be debated by the full House.

Senate Bill 1083, which would create and fund an Arizona Special Missions Unit, advanced Wednesday through the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee on a party-line 6-3 vote after lengthy debate. The bill next goes to the Appropriations Committee, then to the Rules Committee for vetting, then to the floor of the House for a debate and vote.

If the bill passes, the unit would help secure the border and help local law enforcement pursue, detain and arrest those involved in "cross-border criminal activity." The unit also could respond to natural disasters and search-and-recovery efforts.

It would be funded with $1.4 million a year in gang task-force funds.

When called into duty, unit members could detain and arrest suspects until a law-enforcement agency took over and would have immunity for acts that occur while on duty -- similar to immunity granted to police and other law enforcers that prevents prosecution while doing their jobs.

The legislation also would allow the state militia to seize assets in instances where it cooperates with state or local law enforcement agencies.

The governor would oversee the unit, and local police or county sheriffs could request the activation of the unit to supplement their law-efforts.

Border experts have told The Arizona Republic it would be the first such volunteer border-enforcement force in the nation.

Supporters of the measure say a volunteer force is necessary because the federal government is failing to secure the border.

Rep. David Gowan, R-Sierra Vista, said his constituents overwhelmingly support the measure. He characterized the Arizona-Mexico border as a "war zone" rife with drug-cartel traffic and violence.

"I don't know how to do it any other way if the federal government doesn't have the will," Gowan said.

"I think the state's duty is to go down and secure that border so that our citizens are taken care of."

Opponents of the bill, including the Arizona Cattlemen's Association, are concerned about funding, liability and training for the volunteers.

Jennifer Sweeney, an Arizona Association of Counties lobbyist, said 14 of the state's sheriffs oppose the bill. She said Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu stands alone in his support of it.

Rep. Steve Farley, D-Tucson, said the measure would do nothing to help the state.

"It's not a solution," he said, "I don't think this wakes up the federal government. I think it gives