Florida Commission Approves E-Verify Mandate for County Contracts

Brevard County commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a resolution requiring county contractors to use E-Verify as a condition of doing business. The county already requires E-Verify use on contracts involving state or federal dollars.

Under the approved resolution, “The county shall not enter into or renew a contract for goods or services with a vendor/contractor that is not enrolled in E-Verify. Any vendor/contractor providing goods or services to the county shall be contractually required to utilize E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of any employee hired during the contract term.” The measure includes a “safe-harbor” provision that protects contractors who use E-Verify in good faith.

County Commissioner John Tobia, who sponsored the resolution, said “Being against E-Verify is being against law-abiding businesses and workers,” He is pushing for E-Verify to help protect job opportunities for legal workers.

Tobia plans to introduce an ordinance soon that requires all businesses in Brevard that have county business tax receipts to use E-Verify. He is still trying to define the measure’s non-compliance penalties and a mechanism for monitoring compliance. 

Read more in Florida Today.