NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Businesses could lose their operating licenses if they're found to knowingly employ illegal immigrants under a bill approved unanimously by the House on Thursday.

Video: Bill Punishes Businesses For Hiring Illegal Immigrants

The state could suspend a company's license if it finds the company either knew an employee was an illegal immigrant or did not follow proper procedure to verify the status of an employee.

"If you do what you're supposed to do but they turn out to be illegal, you're OK," said Rep. Henry Fincher, D-Cookeville.

The original version of the bill, sponsored by Rep. John Hood, D-Murfreesboro, would have imposed $10,000 fines on employers found to have hired workers they knew were illegal immigrants.

Hood and the sponsor of the companion measurer, Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, changed the bill after Attorney General Robert Cooper said the measure would trump federal law, and therefore would be unconstitutional.

The Senate is expected to vote on the measure next week.

Cooper's opinion cited a federal law that "pre-empts any state or local law imposing civil or criminal sanctions" on those who recruit or hire illegal immigrants.

Under the revised bill, the commissioner of the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development would suspend business licenses for companies found to have hired illegal immigrants.

"Everybody keeps saying we can't do something on this issue because we're pre-empted by federal law," Rep. Mike Turner, D-Old Hickory, said. "This is the only thing we can actually do under our law to try to prevent this to make our state less attractive to illegal immigration."

The license would only be restored once the company proves that all its employees are in the country legally. A second violation within five years would lead to a one-year suspension.

An employer wouldn't be held liable if contractors or subcontractors are found to be illegal immigrants.

Rep. Frank Niceley, R-Strawberry Plains, questioned whether the measure would have an impact on farmers who employ immigrants to help harvest their crops.

"What business license does a tomato farmer have?" he asked.

Hood said if a farmer didn't have to file a W-2 tax form for the worker, the law would not affect him or her.

Police: Illegal Immigrants Arrested In Maury County

Police said they have made a mass arrest of illegal immigrants in Maury County.

Thursday morning, 24 people were taken into federal custody.

In the past 30 days, 63 suspected illegal immigrants have been arrested in Maury County.

Fourteen were picked up May 8 after a van was stopped for speeding, and seven days later, 24 others were arrested in a raid at Countryside Village.