GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- County and city officials from across the state got some training in enforcement of Georgia's tough new law targeting illegal immigration.

The session on Monday at the Georgia Mountains Center in Gainesville was organized by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association. WAGA-TV reports that about 300 officials attended.

The training aims to ensure government agencies are complying with the mandates. A state panel will review complaints and issue fines for not enforcing the law.

http://bit.ly/raqohD

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com

Another training session is scheduled in south Georgia. Additional meetings may be scheduled.

The law could have a major impact on local governments and even the jobs of some officials.

Legal challenges and controversy have surrounded immigration laws in places like Arizona and Georgia. While part of the law here has been blocked, other provisions have gone into effect and more will be implemented later.

That's what brought 300 county and city officials to a training program at the Georgia Mountains Center in Gainesville Monday.

The session was organized by the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association.

Some parts of the new immigration law directly affect government officials. A state panel will review complaints and issue fines for not enforcing the immigration laws.

Clint Mueller, legislative director of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, said penalties including monetary fines and removal of elected officials.

"This is anything from checking out vendors that do business with local governments to those that business occupation taxes having to make sure that businesses start reporting that they are checking their employees," Mueller said.

Another training session is scheduled in south Georgia. Additional meetings may be scheduled.

Punishment for local governments failing to comply with the new immigration law could include a loss of state funding.