SB 324 – Mandatory E-verify

SB 324 strengthens the integrity of the Texas workforce by requiring every employer—public and private—to verify the legal status of new hires using the federal E-Verify system. This move closes current loopholes that allow some employers to avoid verification, ensuring fairer competition for businesses that follow the law. It empowers state agencies to enforce compliance by linking it to licensing and contracts, discouraging abuse of public funds. Political subdivisions and contractors will face real consequences for violating the law, with penalties including contract bans and employee termination. This bill promotes accountability, reduces the burden of illegal employment on taxpayer-funded services, and ensures that taxpayer dollars are not used to subsidize companies that hire illegal immigrants.