Texas House Bill HB1660

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to requiring state contractors and political subdivisions of this state to participate in the federal electronic verification of employment authorization program, or E-verify.

Impact

The implementation of HB 1660 will lead to significant changes in the contracting process for state agencies. Only those contractors who register with and actively participate in the E-verify program will be eligible for state contracts. This requirement extends to subcontractors as well, meaning that not only primary contractors but all their subordinate partners must comply. Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in the contractor being barred from receiving other state contracts, effectively enforcing accountability throughout the entire contract chain.

Summary

House Bill 1660 mandates that all state contractors and political subdivisions in Texas must participate in the federal electronic verification of employment authorization program, known as E-verify. This bill is designed to ensure that employers within the state are only hiring individuals who are authorized to work in the United States, thus reinforcing lawful employment practices. By requiring consistent compliance across state contracts, the legislation aims to eliminate the loopholes that may have allowed unauthorized individuals to obtain employment through state-funded contracts.

Contention

There may be pushback against HB 1660 regarding its potential impact on smaller businesses that may find the compliance costs associated with E-verify burdensome. Critics argue that mandating participation in the federal program could disproportionately affect small contractors who may not have the resources to manage the requirements. Furthermore, there may be concerns regarding the accuracy and implications of the E-verify system itself, including issues related to personal data privacy and the potential for wrongful disqualifications of authorized workers based on E-verify results.