SB 324 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

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.

SB 324 requires state contractors, local governments (political subdivisions), and private employers working with Texas state entities to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm employees' work authorization. The bill mandates that contractors must register with and maintain participation in E-Verify to secure or retain state contracts, with contracts including a certification statement about compliance. This policy directly affects businesses and government units doing work with Texas state agencies, requiring them to verify employee eligibility through the federal program rather than relying on other methods. The bill modifies Texas Government Code Chapter 2264 to enforce this requirement through contract terms and verification standards.
Bill status passed 2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Failed
Apr 2025
Governor
Introduced Nov 12, 2024 Last action May 2, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 30, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was updated to clarify its title and remove outdated references to digital content accessibility updates. The core legislative text remains largely unchanged, maintaining requirements for state contractors, political subdivisions, and private employers to participate in the E-verify program. The bill establishes enforcement mechanisms, including potential debarment from state contracts for non-compliance, and sets specific implementation timelines for various provisions.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on requiring participation in the federal E-verify employment authorization program by state contractors, political subdivisions, and private employers. No significant changes to applicability were made.
TECHNICAL

Header and title information were updated to reflect the engrossed version of the bill, including sponsor information and proper bill numbering.

Outdated text about digital content accessibility updates on TLO was removed as it was not part of the final legislative text.

TIMELINE

Specific implementation dates were added: state agency procedures due by December 31, 2025; E-verify requirements for contractors apply to bids made public on or after the effective date; private employer and political subdivision requirements begin January 1, 2027.

ENFORCEMENT

Clear enforcement mechanisms were established, including the comptroller's authority to debar non-compliant contractors from state contracts for one year, with possible extensions.

REQUIREMENT

Contract certification language was standardized to require contractors to certify they are not ineligible to receive contracts under the E-verify program requirements.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 30, 2025

How they voted

1020
Failed
Total votes 30
Apr 30, 2025
D Democratic10
10 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
20 Nay
100% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
34
Key actions
8
Committee
7
Amendments
4
May 2, 2025
Committee
Referred to State Affairs
lower
May 2, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
May 1, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Amended
Amendment fails of adoption
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business & Commerce
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors

Sponsors