The bill is known as the “Greenlight” legislation, and it would grant driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

Supporters say the bill makes sense.

“The reality is there are going to be economic benefits to the state because we are going to have more money coming into our coffers,” said Queens Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz. “We are also going to have safer streets because we are going to have people who’ve been tested to drive cars have a valid license.”

On Wednesday the green light bill cleared a key assembly committee and is expected to be voted on by the full house next week.

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But so far, there hasn’t been much movement in the senate. Democrats from more conservative districts on Long Island and upstate are not sure whether they can support it.

“There are certain safety concerns that have been raised by law enforcement agencies about how an ID can be used,” said State Senator from Long Island Todd Kiminsky. “And that’s something we are looking at very closely. So there has been no determination. But it’s our job to do our due diligence.”

Another Long Island Senator, Kevin Thomas, was not very eager to stop and talk to reporters about the bill this week, as he briskly walked away.

Senate Republicans, who lost power in last year’s election to Democrats, held a press conference to denounce the bill, putting pressure on their Democratic colleagues who flipped some of their seats.

“We are a nation of laws. And we respect those laws,” Minority Leader John Flanagan said. “And fundamentally this is the operative word. Some people get uncomfortable when we use the word “illegal.” The people that we are talking about are here illegally.”

Further complicating matters is that some upstate county clerks have already pledged not to comply with the law even if the bill passes. County clerks are charged with issuing drivers licenses.

This is the same problem then Governor Eliot spritzer encountered when he first tried to do this in 2007.