News Summary
Florida Representative Berny Jacques has reintroduced a bill mandating all private employers to use the E-Verify system for employee verification. Following a failed attempt last session, Jacques is hopeful about the bill’s reception amid current immigration policies. The bill seeks to eliminate the 25-employee limit under existing laws, impacting all businesses. Critics, including business owners and advocacy groups, express concerns over potential labor shortages and consumer price increases. As the legislative session approaches, the debate surrounding E-Verify continues to evolve.
Florida Lawmaker Reintroduces E-Verify Bill to Enforce Employment Eligibility for All Businesses
Florida Representative Berny Jacques has filed a new bill, HB 197, which aims to mandate all private employers in the state to utilize the E-Verify system for verifying employee eligibility. This legislation was introduced on October 16, 2025, and marks a renewed effort following a failed attempt in the previous legislative session.
Jacques is optimistic about the bill’s prospects in the upcoming 2026 legislative session, attributing this optimism to the current political climate, particularly the immigration policies of the Trump administration. These policies have focused on stricter immigration enforcement, including increased detentions and deportations of unauthorized immigrants. As of August 2020, approximately 60,000 individuals were reported to be in ICE detention.
Recent polling indicates that about 50% of Republicans support measures to remove unauthorized immigrants from employment in the U.S., which could bolster Jacques’ efforts to gather bipartisan support for the E-Verify bill.
Previous Legislative Efforts
Jacques previously co-sponsored an E-Verify bill, known as HB 955, in the last legislative session. This bill was passed by the House but did not progress to a vote in the Senate. Under the current Florida law, SB 1718, E-Verify is required for businesses employing more than 25 employees. Jacques’ new bill seeks to remove this employee limit, thereby expanding the requirement to all businesses regardless of size.
Compliance and Penalties
Currently, companies that fail to comply with E-Verify requirements face penalties of $1,000 per day and possibly suspend their business licenses. This enforcement is set to be carried out by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and other relevant agencies, beginning on July 1, 2024, for existing E-Verify provisions.
Concerns and Criticisms
Despite the intentions behind the E-Verify bill, critics, including business owners and immigrant advocacy groups, have voiced concerns that imposing stricter verification requirements could lead to increased prices for consumers and potential labor shortages in various sectors. Thomas Kennedy, an immigrant advocate, pointed out the detrimental effects on workers in industries already facing economic challenges, questioning the rationale behind creating additional barriers to employment.
Another key point raised by critics is that, even with the existing E-Verify requirements under SB 1718, large corporations can still hire subcontractors with fewer than 25 employees without needing to conduct E-Verify checks. This loophole raises concerns about the effectiveness of the current legislation in addressing employment eligibility comprehensively.
Potential for Alternative Legislation
Senator Jason Pizzo has expressed discontent with Republican leaders for not making a stronger push for complete E-Verify compliance and has attempted to introduce alternative legislation that would impose more stringent penalties for those failing to comply with E-Verify guidelines. Although Pizzo’s Senate version did not pass, at the time of reporting, he had not confirmed any plans for filing a new E-Verify bill for the upcoming legislative session in 2026.
As Florida approaches the next legislative session, the conversation surrounding E-Verify and employment eligibility continues to evolve, with various stakeholders weighing the economic implications against immigration enforcement efforts.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Tallahassee.com: Universal E-Verify for Florida Businesses
- Florida Phoenix: Bill Requiring E-Verify for All Employers
- JD Supra: Florida’s Mandatory E-Verify Law
- Wikipedia: E-Verify
- Google Search: E-Verify Florida
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
