OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The new chairman of a joint legislative committee on illegal immigration says he sees no pressing need in Oklahoma for more legislation on the issue, prompting outrage from hardline proponents of illegal immigration reform.

Following a House interim study on Thursday, state Rep. Charles Ortega said he heard no evidence supporting the need for broad immigration-related reforms.

The Altus Republican says he intends to keep studying the issue and possibly address concerns of law enforcement about immigration-related crime.

State Rep. Randy Terrill, a harsh critic of illegal immigration, called the joint committee a "joke" and says the real purpose is to block any meaningful efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

Terrill sponsored a sweeping anti-illegal immigration bill four years ago that has been the subject of a federal lawsuit.