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Bill

SB 196

Requiring business entities and public employers to register and use the e-verify program for employment purposes and prohibiting income tax deductions for wages and remuneration paid to unauthorized aliens.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas bill mandates all employers use E-Verify and denies tax deductions for wages paid to unauthorized workers, enforcing immigration compliance statewide.

Died in Committee
#laborandemployment #taxation
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Bill Summary · SB 196

Legislative bill overview

SB 196 mandates that all Kansas business entities and public employers use the federal E-Verify program to confirm employee eligibility to work in the United States. The bill additionally prohibits businesses from claiming federal income tax deductions for wages paid to workers determined to be unauthorized aliens through E-Verify or other verification methods.

Why is this important

The bill directly impacts hiring practices for every Kansas employer and affects tax liability for businesses that employ unauthorized workers. It represents a state-level enforcement mechanism for federal immigration law and could significantly alter Kansas's labor market dynamics and employer compliance costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden and costs: Small businesses argue E-Verify compliance requires administrative infrastructure, training, and potential system errors that create disproportionate burden compared to larger employers
  • Labor market impacts: Agricultural, construction, and hospitality sectors that rely on immigrant workers face potential workforce disruption and wage pressures, affecting food production costs and service availability
  • False positive concerns: E-Verify has documented error rates; workers, particularly immigrants with common names, may face wrongful termination or employment denial before resolving verification issues
  • State-federal authority questions: Legal challenges may arise regarding state authority to enforce federal immigration law and impose tax penalties for federal status determinations
  • Retroactive application ambiguity: Unclear whether the tax deduction prohibition applies only prospectively or to historical wage deductions

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

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