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Committee advances bill to require E-Verify for state and local new hires
Summary
The committee passed House Bill 19-74 as amended to require the state and political subdivisions to use E-Verify for new hires. Supporters said it helps prevent hiring ineligible workers; critics raised accuracy and implementation concerns and urged engagement with election and agency stakeholders.
House Bill 19-74, after adoption of an amendment, passed in committee and would require the state and its political subdivisions to run new hires through the federal E-Verify system.
Sponsor Representative Wayne Long told the committee the amendment adds political subdivisions to the bill’s scope; he said the system is quick to set up and use. "It takes about 15 minutes to set up the program and just probably less than 5 minutes to enter the information for the prospective employee," Long said, describing E-Verify as an additional step after the I-9 form.
Members asked about data accuracy and administrative burden. Representative Meeks said prior efforts were rejected over accuracy concerns; Long replied that recent improvements and administrative processes within E-Verify allow employers to follow up on discrepancies. Representative Mayberry said she was uncomfortable advancing the bill late in the day without agency representatives present to answer technical questions.
Representative Ray and others urged support, noting many neighboring states require E-Verify and characterizing the bill as an incremental, administrative step for government employers. Long emphasized the bill applies only to new hires.
The committee first adopted an amendment from Long to add "political subdivisions," then approved the bill as amended on a voice vote. The chair announced the ayes had it and the bill passed in committee. The transcript does not show a roll-call tally for the final passage.
If enacted, the bill would require agencies and local governments to register for and use the federal E-Verify program for employment eligibility checks for new hires, according to testimony. Questions remain in committee about whether agency representatives would need to provide implementation details and whether certain foreign-hire situations would be affected; the sponsor said employment that takes place outside Arkansas generally would be governed by the laws where the work occurs.
