Bill > HB2744

This bill requires state contractors, political subdivisions, and private employers in Texas to participate in E-Verify, a federal electronic employment authorization verification program. Specifically, state agencies cannot award contracts to contractors who do not register and participate in E-Verify, and contractors must continue participating throughout the contract term. Each contract must include a certification statement about E-Verify participation. If a contractor is found to be ineligible or stops participating in E-Verify, the state agency must refer the matter to the comptroller, who may bar the contractor from state contracts for one year. The bill also prohibits employers and political subdivisions from knowingly hiring individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States, with a civil penalty of $10,000 for each violation. Individuals who believe an employer has violated these rules can report the violation to the attorney general. The law will apply to state contracts with bid requests made after the effective date and will be fully implemented by January 1, 2026, with the act taking effect on September 1, 2025. E-Verify is a web-based system that allows employers to confirm the eligibility of employees to work in the United States by checking their information against government records.