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Bill

HB 1019

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

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Matt Shaheen

Texas bill mandates all local government entities use federal E-Verify employment authorization system, shifting verification costs and administrative burden to cities, counties, and school districts.

Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs
#aliens(i0032) #electronicinformationsystems(i0311) #labor--general(i0500) #politicalsubdivisions(i0588)
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Bill Summary · HB 1019

Legislative bill overview

HB 1019 would mandate that all political subdivisions in Texas (cities, counties, school districts, etc.) participate in E-Verify, a federal system that electronically confirms whether employees are authorized to work in the United States. Currently, E-Verify participation is voluntary for most employers, though some states and federal contractors are required to use it.

Why is this important

This bill would expand employment verification requirements across all local government entities in Texas, potentially affecting thousands of public sector employees and contractors. Implementation would involve administrative costs, system integration, and could influence hiring practices and workplace procedures statewide.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Political subdivisions would bear expenses for E-Verify system setup, training, and ongoing administration without specified state funding assistance
  • Privacy and civil rights concerns: Mandatory verification could raise questions about data security, employee privacy, and potential discrimination claims if system errors occur
  • Administrative burden: Smaller municipalities and rural entities may lack IT infrastructure to efficiently integrate E-Verify into existing payroll systems
  • Federal-local friction: Requiring local compliance with federal employment verification systems without federal funding could be viewed as an unfunded mandate

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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