Rep. Berny Jacques Files Bill Requiring E-Verify for all Private Employers

Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole) filed a bill on Monday that would require all private employers in Florida to use E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of potential new hires, thus ensuring that only legal U.S. citizens can work in the country.

Berny Jacques' legislation, HB 955, specifically would remove previous stipulations for smaller private companies and require all private employers, regardless of size, to use E-Verify beginning July 1.

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.

In an X post, Jacques said the bill was designed to "hold businesses accountable, defend the rights of American workers, and make Florida a national leader in strong, pro-American employment policies."

If the legislation sorta sounds familiar, Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo filed a similar E-Verify bill earlier this month. However, Jasson Pizzo's version revises penalties for a business that employs an unauthorized worker and offers more measures.

Pizzo ridiculed Jacques over the bill on Monday.

"You’re kidding yourself (and public) saying you’ll “hold businesses accountable”, but leave out actual accountability," Pizzo said. "What penalties? What about 1099? My bill includes suspension, up to permanent revocation and $500k fine. Enough of this bullshit - let’s pass a real bill."

A comparable bill to HB 955 was also filed by Rep. Allison Tant (D-Tallahassee) on Tuesday.

Notably, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law in 2023 that requires private employers to use E-Verify for new hires, albeit with 25 or more employees.

If approved, HB 955 would take effect on July 1. Florida's Legislative Session begins on March 4 and runs through May 2