Florida Lawmaker Pushing Expansion of E-Verify Law

On February 17th, 2025, Florida Politics reported that a key Florida lawmaker is pushing an expansion of the state’s e-verify system for employers. Jason Pizzo—a Democratic Florida State Senator who represents parts of Broward County and Miami-Dade County—has introduced legislation to expand the state’s strict e-verify requirements to all employers, not just midsize and large companies. In this article, you will find an overview of e-verify, the current law in Florida, and the proposed expansion of the requirement to more employers.

What is E-Verify? 

To lawfully work in the United States, non-citizens must satisfy immigration requirements. E-Verify is an online system operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). It is used to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired workers. Employers use E-Verify to confirm that employees are legally authorized to work in the United States by comparing information from Form I-9 to government records.

 Understanding E-Verify Requirements in Florida (2023 Reform) 

Florida has one of the most comprehensive E-Verify laws in the entire country. It puts considerable obligations on (covered) employers. A major reform was passed in Florida in 2023 that further enhanced our state’s E-Verify rules for employers. As of July 1st, 2023, all private employers with 25 or more employees are required by law to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.

A covered employer is required to do the verification check within three business days of an employee’s start date and retain related records for at least three years. Non-compliance carries substantial penalties, which started to take effect in July of 2024. Employers that violate E-Verify are fined $1,000 per day. If three violations happened within a 24-month period, Florida employers face additional sanctions, potentially including the suspension of their business license.

 Proposed Bill Seeks to Expand E-Verify Laws in Florida

 A lawmaker in Florida has proposed legislation to expand Florida’s already strict E-Verify requirements for employers. In February  2025, Florida Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo introduced Senate Bill 782. The proposed law would mandate the use of the E-Verify system for all employers in the state, regardless of size. In other words, the proposal seeks to dramatically expand upon the 2023 legislation—which currently only requires that employers with 25 or more employees use E-Verify for verifying new hires’ employment eligibility.

The proposed bill also increases the penalties for E-Verify violations. Under SB 782, a non-compliant person would face a fine of up to $10,000 and a one-year suspension of their business license. A business license could be suspended under the new law for even a single, first-time violation. Additional offenses could lead to a maximum $250,000 fine and a permanent bar on doing business in Florida. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed support for expanding E-Verify requirements to all employers in Florida. However, some Republican lawmakers have cautioned the proposed reform could have an adverse economic impact on small businesses.

Get Help From Our Florida Employment Lawyer Today 

Employment law is complicated. If you are an employer with any questions or concerns about e-verify, we are here to help. Contact our Florida employment attorney today for a fully confidential, no obligation initial consultation.