Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Immigration Employment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves E-Verify requirement for state and local employers after debate on enforcement
Summary
House Bill 1705, requiring Tennessee state and local government employers to use the federal E-Verify system, passed the Commerce committee 14–4 after questions about how enforcement by the attorney general would affect school systems and other local entities.
The Commerce Full Committee approved House Bill 1705 by recorded vote after extended questioning about logistics and enforcement. Sponsor Representative Rudd told lawmakers the measure would require state and local governments, including school systems, to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm work authorization for new hires.
During questioning, Representative Camper and Chairman Clemens pressed the sponsor on whether the measure would apply to substitute teachers, janitorial staff and small school districts and raised concerns about whether one hiring mistake by a single school could lead to withheld state funding for an entire Local Education Agency (LEA). Representative Rudd said the bill does not immediately strip funding; the Tennessee attorney general would investigate apparent violations, provide time to cure noncompliance and only withhold funds if a district refused to cooperate. The committee recorded a 14–4 vote sending the bill along for further consideration.
