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Senator Mark Harris introduces E-Verify contracting bill for state contracts
Summary
Senator Mark Harris introduced RS 33130, which would require governments and state contractors meeting certain employee- and contract-size thresholds to use the federal E-Verify system; sponsor said penalties range from compliance incentives to potential contract loss and asked the committee to print the bill.
Senator Mark Harris (Legislative District 35) introduced RS 33130 at the Senate State Affairs committee Friday, saying the bill would require state and local governments and employers who contract with the state to use the federal E-Verify system under specified conditions.
Harris told the committee the proposal targets contracts above a stated threshold and employers with a workforce size threshold. "What it does, it mandates state and local governments and employers over with over 150 employees who contract with the state. Excess of a 100,000 must e verify," he said, describing the bill as a taxpayer-protection measure tied to verification of employee legal status.
On enforcement, Harris told the committee the penalty framework would begin with compliance incentives and could escalate to loss of contract for repeat noncompliance. "If they continue to hire unlawful employees ... they could lose the contract," he said. Harris asked the committee to print the request for a hearing so he could present additional information and stakeholder input.
The committee voted to introduce RS 33130 and send it to print by voice vote. No hearing or floor action was scheduled during the session; committee members indicated the printed bill would be circulated for review and that sponsors planned follow-up with law enforcement and other stakeholders before a hearing.
