Bill
Bill > AB281
WI AB281
WI AB281The employment eligibility verification program and granting rule-making authority. (FE)
summary
Introduced
05/30/2025
05/30/2025
In Committee
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
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. 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 using the Federal Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify), a federal system operated by the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration that allows employers to verify worker eligibility. The bill prohibits state departments, purchasing agents, and authorities from entering into contracts with employers who are not enrolled in E-Verify or who knowingly employ individuals identified as ineligible to work in the United States. If such a contract is discovered, it must be terminated without liability. For state construction projects costing over $50,000 (increasing to $100,000 in fiscal year 2023-24), contractors must be enrolled in E-Verify and comply with these employment verification requirements. Similarly, state agencies and local governmental units must verify the identity of potential employees through E-Verify and cannot offer employment to individuals identified as ineligible to work. All contracts must include written notification of these requirements, with employers signing to confirm compliance. The provisions do not apply if the E-Verify program is discontinued, and they will first take effect on the bill's effective date for new contracts and hiring.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (17)
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)*,
John Jagler (R),
Steve Nass (R),
Cory Tomczyk (R),
Eric Wimberger (R),
Last Action
Read first time and referred to committee on Government Operations, Labor and Economic Development (on 01/14/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...