With a Republican supermajority in the state legislature, Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo (D-Sunny Isles) has filed a legislative measure that would require companies to use E-Verify, regardless of their size, to confirm potential hires are eligible to be legally employed.
"Florida Republicans have insisted that we are in an immigration crisis. We are. However, declaring a state of emergency, passing a few messaging bills, creating transport programs, and blowing millions of taxpayer dollars do not make us the 'toughest in the nation' on illegal immigration," Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo said in a release. "Alas, we find ourselves at the end of the third special session because we just can't seem to get it right."
E-Verify is an Internet-based system that confirms the eligibility of a potential employee of a company to work in the United States. The system checks a person's Form I-9 and Employment Eligibility Verification to records with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.
Notably, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 1718 into law in 2023 which requires private employers to use E-Verify for new hires, albeit with 25 or more employees.
Under SB 782, any employer, including private entities, public agencies, and public agency contractors and subcontractors would be required to use E-Verify or face punishment.
Among them, the state would revoke or suspend an employer's license for one year and knock the company up to $10,000.
The bill also adds punishment for repeat offenders, including a second offense of up to $50,000 and a license suspension/revokement. A third strike would result in a fine of up to $100,000 and permanent revokement.
Furthermore, an employer would be docked up to $500,000 if an incident happened where someone died as a result of an illegal immigrant's actions.
Pizzo has been an outspoken critic of Florida Republicans on Illegal immigration, including on E-Verify. The 48-year-old is considered a moderate in the Democratic party and a potential Gubernatorial candidate in 2026.
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a package of anti-illegal immigration measures into law, culminating the end of a third special session filled with plenty of infighting and drama.
"If we want to be serious about serious issues then we must acknowledge the root causes of illegal immigration. The lead incentive driving illegal immigration is the opportunity of employment, and the unscrupulous business that enable it to continue," Pizzo added.
If passed, SB 782 would take effect on July 1.
