E-Verify is back on the legislative map. The Florida House and Senate both have versions of a bill that will require employers in the state to determine the eligibility of new hires to work in the U.S. Employers who fail to do so will lose their license to do business in the state until they register with E-Verify. Representative Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) recently filed HB 1315, believing it is necessary to ensure jobs in Florida are going to legal residents. Senator Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) filed its companion measure in the Senate, SB 1638, which has been referred to senate judiciary and budget committees. Also onboard with the concept are Governor Rick Scott, the Tea Party and some Republican congressional leaders. Meanwhile, some Florida agricultural and tourism businesses fear the requirement will be unduly burdensome and costly. The bill will require employers to use E-Verify, the free web-based program run by the federal government that compares information from an employee’s Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) to data from U.S. government records. The new requirement would start in January 2013 if lawmakers approve the bill. Last year, this issue was hotly debated by the Legislature, but the House and Senate could not agree on the bill and the measure ultimately died the last week of the 2011 legislative session. Since last session, neither Governor Scott nor other legislative leaders have spoken much about the need for immigration legislation this year. Additionally, with powerful leaders like Senator JD Alexander (R-Lake Wales) adamantly opposed to this measure, and with redistricting and the budget being the major focus for leaders this session, it is not likely the issue will make it through the process. HB 1315 is now in Government Operations Subcommittee. The bill was co-sponsored by Larry Ahern (R-St. Petersburg), Matt Gaetz (R-Fort Walton Beach), Larry Metz (R-Yalaha) and Ray Pilon (R-Sarasota). No staff analyses have been issued on either bill. Read the entire legislative alert: Proposed E-Verify Legislation Filed in both the Florida House and Senate More labor/employment issues Bills involving prohibited types of discrimination, workplace safety, and public employees are expected this session, along with major legislation on unemployment benefits. Last year, legislators cut the number of weeks for unemployment benefits and made it easier for businesses to challenge claims. However, the tax business owners pay to fund the program is scheduled to dramatically increase – from a minimum of $72.10 per employee to $171. Representative Doug Holder (R-Sarasota) has filed HB 7027 requiring, among other things, the unemployed take a workforce skills test. Individuals who fail would lose their benefits if they do not complete a free training program offered to them. The bill would also give the state more time to correct benefit overpayments.

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