The Florida House on Wednesday approved legislation requiring all private employers in the state to use the federal E-Verify system when hiring new workers, broadening current employment verification mandates to include businesses of all sizes.

The bill, HB 955, passed on a 88-25 vote along party lines.

Sponsored by Rep. Berny Jacques, the proposal removes a statutory threshold that previously limited the E-Verify mandate to public employers and private businesses with 25 or more employees. Under the bill, beginning July 1, 2025, every private employer in Florida will be required to use E-Verify, an online platform administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration. The system cross-checks information provided on federal Form I-9 with government databases to determine an employee’s work authorization status.

The legislation also maintains existing provisions requiring employers covered by the law to annually certify their compliance when submitting reemployment assistance tax filings.

If the bill is signed into law, enforcement provisions already in place would remain unchanged.

Under the state’s existing enforcement framework, the Florida Department of Commerce is authorized to oversee compliance with employment eligibility verification requirements. If an employer fails to use E-Verify as required, the department must notify the employer and provide 30 days to remedy the violation. If an employer is found noncompliant on three separate occasions within a 24-month period, the department is required to impose a fine of $1,000 for each day the violation continues. The employer may also face suspension of all state-issued business licenses until proof of compliance is provided. These enforcement provisions remain unchanged under the bill.