Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida H197: Employment Eligibility
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Requires that all private employers, rather than only those employing more than specified number of employees, use E-Verify system to verify new employee's employment eligibility beginning on specified date.
What the bill says
An act relating to employment eligibility; amending s. 448.095, F.S.; requiring that all private employers, rather than only those employing more than a specified number of employees, use the E-Verify system to verify a new employee's employment eligibility beginning on a specified date; providing an effective date.
From the introduced text, October 16, 2025:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to employment eligibility; amending s. 448.095, F.S.; requiring that all private employers, rather than only those employing more than a specified number of employees, use the E-Verify system to verify a new employee's employment eligibility beginning on a specified date; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 448.095, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 448.095 Employment eligibility.-- (2) EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION.-- (b)1. A public agency shall use the E-Verify system to verify a new employee's employment eligibility as required under paragraph (a). 2. Beginning on July 1, 2026 2023, a private employer with 25 or more employees shall use the E-Verify system to verify a new employee's employment eligibility as required under paragraph (a). 3. Each employer required to use the E-Verify system under this paragraph must certify on its first return each calendar year to the tax service provider that it is in compliance with this section when making contributions to or reimbursing the words underlined are additions. hb197-00 FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES HB 197 2026 state's unemployment compensation or reemployment assistance system. An employer that voluntarily uses the E-Verify system may also make such a certification on its first return each calendar year in order to document …
Sponsors
- Jacques, Berny (R, HD-059) · primary sponsor
- Michael, Kiyan (R, HD-016) · primary sponsor
- Michael (R, 16) · primary sponsor
- Barnaby, Webster (R, HD-029)
- Webster Barnaby (R, HD-027)
- Miller, Monique (R, HD-033)
- Miller (R, 33)
Latest actions
- : Died in Rules
- : Received
- : Referred to Rules
- : In Messages
- : Passed; YEAS 80, NAYS 30
- : Read 3rd time
- : Added to Third Reading Calendar
- : Read 2nd time
- : 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
- : Bill added to Special Order Calendar (1/15/2026)
Votes
- House: H 197 Filed (January 15, 2026): 80 yea, 30 nay, passed
- House: Commerce Committee (December 11, 2025): 16 yea, 5 nay, passed
- House: Commerce Committee (December 11, 2025): 16 yea, 5 nay, passed
- House: Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee (November 5, 2025): 12 yea, 4 nay, passed
- House: Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee (November 5, 2025): 12 yea, 4 nay, passed
Subjects: Rules
Common questions
- What is H197?
- H197 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Employment Eligibility.
- What does H197 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to employment eligibility; amending s. 448.095, F.S.; requiring that all private employers, rather than only those employing more than a specified number of employees, use the E-Verify system to verify a new employee's employment eligibility beginning on a specified date; providing an effective date.
- What is the status of H197?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Rules (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored H197?
- Jacques, Berny (R, HD-059), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H197?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/197
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.