By: Schwertner, et al. S.B. No. 23
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to requiring state contractors to participate in the
  federal electronic verification of employment authorization
  program, or E-verify.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 2264, Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 2264.  CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS ON [USE OF CERTAIN] PUBLIC
  SUBSIDIES AND STATE CONTRACTS
         SECTION 2.  Section 2264.101, Government Code, is
  transferred to Subchapter B, Chapter 2264, Government Code,
  redesignated as Section 2264.054, Government Code, and amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 2264.054 [2264.101].  RECOVERY. (a)  A public agency,
  local taxing jurisdiction, or economic development corporation, or
  the attorney general on behalf of the state or a state agency, may
  bring a civil action to recover any amounts owed to the public
  agency, state or local taxing jurisdiction, or economic development
  corporation under this subchapter [chapter].
         (b)  The public agency, local taxing jurisdiction, economic
  development corporation, or attorney general, as applicable, shall
  recover court costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred in an
  action brought under Subsection (a).
         (c)  A business is not liable for a violation of this
  subchapter [chapter] by a subsidiary, affiliate, or franchisee of
  the business, or by a person with whom the business contracts.
         SECTION 3.  The heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 2264,
  Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER C. E-VERIFY PROGRAM [ENFORCEMENT]
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter C, Chapter 2264, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 2264.1011, 2264.102, 2264.103, and
  2264.104 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2264.1011.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "E-verify program" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 673.001.
               (2)  "State agency" has the meaning assigned by Section
  2103.001.
         Sec. 2264.102.  VERIFICATION BY CONTRACTORS. (a)  A state
  agency may not award a contract for goods or services within this
  state to a contractor unless the contractor registers with and
  participates in the E-verify program to verify employee
  information. The contractor must continue to participate in the
  program during the term of the contract.
         (b)  Each contract with a state agency must include the
  following statement:
         "______________ (name of contractor) certifies that
  __________ (name of contractor) is not ineligible to receive this
  contract under Subchapter C, Chapter 2264, Government Code, and
  acknowledges that if this certification is inaccurate or becomes
  inaccurate during the term of the contract, the contractor may be
  barred from participating in state contracts."
         (c)  If a state agency determines that a contractor was
  ineligible to have the contract awarded under Subsection (a) or
  that a contractor has ceased participation in the E-verify program
  during the term of the contract, the state agency shall refer the
  matter to the comptroller for action.
         (d)  Each state agency shall develop procedures for the
  administration of this section.
         Sec. 2264.103.  BARRING FROM STATE CONTRACTS. (a)  Using
  procedures prescribed under Section 2155.077, the comptroller
  shall bar a contractor from participating in state contracts if a
  state agency under Section 2264.102 determines that the contractor:
               (1)  was awarded a contract in violation of Section
  2264.102; or
               (2)  has ceased participation in the E-verify program
  during the term of the contract.
         (b)  Debarment under this section is for a period of up to
  five years.
         (c)  A contractor who registers with and participates in the
  E-verify program as provided by Section 2264.102 may not be barred
  under this section if, as a result of receiving inaccurate
  verification information from the E-verify program, the contractor
  hires or employs a person in violation of 8 U.S.C. Section 1324a.
         Sec. 2264.104.  AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE; DISCRIMINATION
  PROHIBITED.  (a)  It is an affirmative defense to a civil action for
  damages or the imposition of a civil penalty for an employer's
  refusal to hire or employ a person based on the employer's
  participation in the E-verify program as required by this
  subchapter that the employer participated in the E-verify program
  in accordance with the rules and guidelines of the program and
  received inaccurate information. 
         (b)  Nothing in this section may be construed to allow
  intentional discrimination of any class protected by law.
         SECTION 5.  Each state agency subject to Subchapter C,
  Chapter 2264, Government Code, as amended by this Act, shall
  develop the procedures required under Section 2264.102(d),
  Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than October 1,
  2017.
         SECTION 6.  Sections 2264.1011, 2264.102, and 2264.103,
  Government Code, as added by this Act, apply only in relation to a
  contract for which the request for bids or proposals or other
  applicable expression of interest is made public on or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.