Committee hears bill to penalize employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers

Summary

Lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 1291, which would authorize state enforcement and penalties for employers who knowingly employ workers without lawful status. Sponsors and opponents debated enforcement resources, E-Verify, business-license suspensions and federal preemption concerns. The committee held the bill for amendment.

BISMARCK — The House Industry, Business and Labor Committee opened a hearing Tuesday on House Bill 1291, a measure that would allow state enforcement and civil penalties against employers who knowingly hire workers without legal immigration status.

Representative Matt Heilman, R‑Bismarck, said the bill is intended to prevent employers from hiring unauthorized workers and to give the state tools to enforce that prohibition. “I don't believe that people who don't have legal status should be taking the jobs from those who are legal,” Representative Matt Heilman said while presenting the bill.

Heilman told the committee the bill uses a knowledge standard — prohibiting employers who "knowingly" hire unauthorized workers — and would direct the labor commissioner to investigate violations and assess civil penalties. He also said legislative staff should remove language that would have referred alleged violations to the attorney general for…

Committee hears bill to penalize employers who knowingly hire unauthorized workers

Summary

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