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Bill > SB287
WI SB287
WI SB287The employment eligibility verification program and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
summary
Introduced
05/30/2025
05/30/2025
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
02/18/2026
02/18/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
State procurement Under current law, the Department of Administration, the legislature, the judiciary, and state authorities may purchase all necessary materials and contract for services. Current law also generally authorizes DOA to contract for construction work when the project cost is estimated to exceed $50,000. With some exceptions, such purchases or contracts must be awarded to the lowest bidder. This bill creates a new exception to the lowest-bidder award by prohibiting the state from purchasing or contracting for materials or services with an employer that does not verify, by using the Federal Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify Program), that all of its employees are eligible to work in the United States or that employs an individual after the E-Verify Program identifies that the individual is not eligible to work in the United States. The E-Verify Program is a system operated by the federal Department of Homeland Security and the federal Social Security Administration that allows an employer to enroll in the system and verify that its employees are eligible to work in the United States. LRB-0512/1 MIM:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 287 State government and local government employment practices This bill provides that a state government agency or local governmental unit that intends to hire an employee after the bill[s effective date must verify the individual[s identity under the E-Verify Program. A state government agency or local governmental unit may not offer employment to any individual who is identified under the E-Verify Program as ineligible to work in the United States. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill establishes new requirements for employment eligibility verification across state and local government procurement and hiring practices, mandating the use of the Federal Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify Program), a federal system operated by the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration that allows employers to verify employees' work eligibility. The legislation prohibits state departments, purchasing agents, agencies, and local governmental units from entering into contracts or hiring individuals with employers who are not enrolled in E-Verify or who knowingly employ individuals identified as ineligible to work in the United States. Specifically, the bill requires that all state procurement contracts, construction contracts, and local government hiring processes include verification of an individual's eligibility through E-Verify, with mandatory written notification and compliance acknowledgment in contracts. If a contract is discovered to violate these requirements, the state or local entity must terminate the contract without liability. The provisions do not apply if the E-Verify Program is discontinued, and they will first apply to contracts and orders entered into on the bill's effective date. These requirements aim to ensure that state and local government entities only work with or employ individuals who are legally authorized to work in the United States.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (17)
John Jagler (R)*,
Steve Nass (R)*,
Cory Tomczyk (R)*,
Eric Wimberger (R)*,
Lindee Brill (R),
Robert Brooks (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Joy Goeben (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Dave Maxey (R),
Paul Melotik (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
David Steffen (R),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Last Action
Received from Senate (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
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