88R8267 KSD/MTB-D
 
  By: Kolkhorst S.B. No. 1621
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to requiring state contractors, political subdivisions of
  this state, and private employers 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, and 2264.103 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 and any subcontractor
  register with and participate in the E-verify program to verify
  employee information.  The contractor and any subcontractor 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), that
  a contractor has ceased participation in the E-verify program
  during the term of the contract, or that a subcontractor is not
  registered with or is not participating in the E-verify program,
  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 the
  comptroller determines that the contractor:
               (1)  was awarded a contract in violation of Section
  2264.102;
               (2)  has ceased participation in the E-verify program
  during the term of the contract; or
               (3)  hired a subcontractor to perform work under the
  contract who is not registered with or is not participating in the
  E-verify program.
         (b)  Debarment under this section is for a period of one year
  except that the debarment may be extended by the comptroller for
  additional one-year periods if the comptroller determines that the
  grounds for debarment under this section continue to exist.
         SECTION 5.  Subtitle B, Title 2, Labor Code, is amended by
  adding Chapter 53 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 53.  VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
         Sec. 53.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Workforce
  Commission.
               (2)  "Employee" means an individual who is employed by
  an employer for compensation.  The term includes an individual
  employed on a part-time basis.
               (3)  "Employer" means a person, other than a
  governmental entity, who:
                     (A)  employs one or more employees; or
                     (B)  acts directly or indirectly in the interests
  of an employer in relation to an employee.
               (4)  "Employment" means any service, including service
  in interstate commerce, that is performed for wages or under a
  contract of hire, whether written or oral or express or implied.
  The term does not include any service performed by an individual for
  wages if it is shown that the individual is free from control or
  direction in the performance of the service, both under any
  contract of service and in fact.
               (5)  "E-verify program" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 673.001, Government Code.
         Sec. 53.002.  EMPLOYEE STATUS. An employer may not classify
  an individual performing services for the employer as an
  independent contractor instead of as an employee of the employer
  solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements applicable to
  an employer under this chapter.
         Sec. 53.003.  VERIFICATION.  An employer shall register and
  participate in the E-verify program to verify information of all
  new employees.
         Sec. 53.004.  ENFORCEMENT BY STATE AGENCIES.  
  Notwithstanding any other law, each appropriate state agency shall
  ensure that employers in this state comply with Section 53.003 and
  may require compliance with that section as a condition of a
  license, certificate, registration, permit, or other authorization
  issued by the agency that is required for a person to practice or
  engage in a particular business, occupation, or profession in this
  state.
         Sec. 53.005.  RULES.  The commission shall adopt rules and
  prescribe forms for the implementation of this chapter.
         SECTION 6.  Subtitle C, Title 5, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 181 to read as follows:
               CHAPTER 181. VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
         Sec. 181.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "E-verify program" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 673.001, Government Code.
               (2)  "Political subdivision" means a county,
  municipality, school district, junior college district, other
  special district, or other subdivision of state government.
         Sec. 181.002.  VERIFICATION. A political subdivision shall
  register and participate in the E-verify program to verify
  information of all new employees.
         Sec. 181.003.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  An employee of a
  political subdivision who is responsible for verifying information
  of new employees of the political subdivision as required by
  Section 181.002 is subject to immediate termination of employment
  if the employee fails to comply with that section.
         SECTION 7.  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,
  2023.
         SECTION 8.  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 9.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.