Bill Text: TX HB889 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to requiring state contractors to participate in the federal electronic verification of employment authorization program, or E-verify.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-05 - Referred to State Affairs [HB889 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB889-Introduced.html
  84R2795 MTB-D
 
  By: Dale H.B. No. 889
 
 
 
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, and 2264.103 to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 2264.1011.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
               (1)  "E-verify program" means the electronic
  verification of employment authorization program of the federal
  Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
  (Pub. L. No. 104-208, reprinted in note, 8 U.S.C. Section 1324a),
  operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security, or a
  successor employment authorization program designated by the
  United States Department of Homeland Security or other federal
  agency authorized to verify the employment authorization status of
  newly hired employees under the federal Immigration Reform and
  Control Act of 1986 (8 U.S.C. Section 1101 et seq.).
               (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 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.
         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,
  2015.
         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, 2015.
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