Senate committee hears sponsor testimony on SB 183 to require E-Verify for nonresidential construction

The Senate Workforce Development Committee heard sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 183 at a committee hearing, which would require nonresidential construction contractors, subcontractors and labor brokers to verify employees’ eligibility using the federal E‑Verify system.

Sponsor testimony outlined how the federal E‑Verify system works and why the bill targets the commercial construction sector. “E Verify electronically confirms within 3 to 5 seconds of submission an employee's eligibility to work in The United States,” Senator Sereno told the committee, noting that E‑Verify uses the same Form I‑9 employers already complete.

The bill’s sponsors said SB 183 would require covered employers to retain verification records ‘‘for 3 years after hire or 1 year after employment termination’’ and prohibit continued employment of individuals who receive a final nonconfirmation notice through E‑Verify. “This bill will…