Oklahoma Senate Bill SB655

Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/4/25

Caption

Labor; creating the Oklahoma Taxpaper and Citizen Protection Act; requiring the use of E-Verify by employers. Effective date.

Impact

The implementation of SB655 will significantly affect existing state laws regarding employment and labor regulations. By requiring E-Verify usage, employers must adopt more rigorous hiring protocols and face penalties for violations. The act expressly prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances that impede the enforcement of this statute, thereby centralizing control within the state level and limiting local autonomy regarding employment-related practices. This poses implications for municipal powers to implement their own labor standards, particularly in communities that may wish to enforce additional protections for workers.

Summary

Senate Bill 655, also known as the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, mandates that employers in Oklahoma utilize the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of their workers. The act seeks to ensure that all employees working within the state have valid work authorization, thereby aiming to reduce the number of unauthorized workers in the Oklahoma labor market. Employers are required to register for and maintain an E-Verify account, and they must provisionally employ new hires until their work eligibility is verified. Failure to comply with these measures could lead to fines and potential loss of eligibility for state contracts.

Contention

While the bill presents itself as a necessary measure to combat illegal employment, it may face opposition from various stakeholders. Critics argue that the requirements imposed on employers could lead to unintentional discrimination against certain groups of workers, particularly those from marginalized communities. Additionally, concerns abound regarding the administrative burden placed on businesses, especially smaller employers who may lack the resources to implement the new compliance measures effectively. The extent to which such legislation will fulfill its objective of protecting taxpayer interests while ensuring fair treatment of all workers remains a point of contention among lawmakers and advocacy groups.