(RALEIGH) -- Before leaving town, the North Carolina Legislature gave final approval to bills requiring businesses and local governments to check any new employees' immigration status.  An estimated 40 percent of state businesses would be covered by the legislation.

Sen. Thom Goolsbee said the legislation levels the playing field for employers.  "It's an unfair advantage for the people that are out there hiring illegal aliens and competing with other folks who aren't and it's just plain out and out wrong.  It is not right and we have to stand against it," said Goolsbee.

There is a 24 month phase-in period.  Employers will have to use the federal government's  "E-verify" system to determine if someone can be hired.  The legislation impacts companies with 25 employees or more.    Farms which hire people for 90 days or less are exempted from the legislation.