Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas On January 23 State Representative Tony Dale (R-Cedar Park) filed House Bill 889 that aims to ensure that only those with legal work status are hired as state contractors or subcontractors. House Bill 889 would require that all state contractors and subcontractors use the federal E-Verify system to determine the legal work status for all potential employees.
Taxpayers rightly expect that their hard earned tax dollars are to be spent hiring only legal workers and not persons ineligible to work in the State of Texas" said Representative Dale. Not only does this bill ensure only legal workers benefit from public contracts but it also adds protection for contractors who follow the proposed legislation. The requirement to use the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services E-Verify as a replacement for the Services paper-based form I-9 will give the taxpayers confidence that only Texans and workers with a legal status will be recipients of taxpayer dollars."
The bill includes protection for contractors by ensuring contractors are held harmless for mistakes that may be made by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. As a matter of fairness it is critical to protect contractors from mistakes that may occur. The bottom line is that if a contractor is using E-Verify and inadvertently hires an illegal worker based upon a returned verified status by the federal government they will not lose their contract" said Dale.
Background:
June 11 2003: Federal Executive Order 12989 (2-15-1996 - Pres. Clinton) as modified by Executive Order 13286 (1-21-2001 Pres. G.W. Bush) and Executive Order 13465 (6-11-2003 Pres. G. W. Bush) directs all federal agencies and executive departments to use E-Verify for federal contractors.
November 10 2014: State Representative Tony Dale files HB 183 requiring all Texas state agencies and public higher education institutions to use E-Verify for hiring new employees.
December 3 2014: Texas Governor Rick Perry issues an executive order requiring all state agencies state contractors and subcontractors to use E-Verify.
January 22 2015: State Representative Tony Dale files HB 889 requiring state contractors and subcontractors to use E-Verify.
State Representative Tony Dale is a member of the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee the House Select Committee on Child Protection and the House Energy Resources Committee. He represents southwestern Williamson County Cedar Park Leander Brushy Creek and parts of Austin and Round Rock.
