Business & Tech

State Sen. George Barker's E-Verify Bill Passes Cmte.

Virginia on track to join 10 other states

RICHMOND – The Senate Committee on Courts of Justice unanimously passed Sen. George Barker’s legislation this morning requiring companies with state contracts to register and participate in the federal Electronic Work Verification Program (E-Verify). Any employer who fails to register and participate will be debarred from state contracts for up to a year.

The bill was supported by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Associated General Contractors, Virginia Utility and Heavy Contractors Council, the Virginia AFL-CIO and Laborers International Union. Barker worked with Sen. Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach) on the legislation.

“My four-year effort to get this legislation passed was worth the time and energy it took," Barker noted in a press release. "I am pleased that your state tax dollars will be used by companies that make sure their employees are legal when they are working on highway construction and other important projects for Virginia.”

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The bill goes through the full Senate on Tuesday and then will be sent to the House of Delegates for action. Currently, the federal government and 10 states require participation in the E-Verify program for public contracts. 


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