AUSTIN, Texas — Senate Bill 324 (SB 324), a proposed law that would have required all employers in Texas to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm the work eligibility of new hires, failed to clear the state legislature after stalling in the House State Affairs Committee. Though the bill passed the Senate with strong Republican backing on April 30, 2025, it lacked the necessary momentum to advance further in the session’s final weeks.
The legislation, authored by Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R–Brenham), aimed to make Texas the latest state to enforce mandatory E-Verify use across both public and private sectors. Under current Texas law, only state agencies and contractors are required to utilize the system, which checks workers’ information against federal databases to confirm legal work status.
Supporters of the bill argued that SB 324 would help protect job opportunities for American citizens and lawful residents, reduce illegal immigration, and hold employers accountable for hiring unauthorized labor. “We cannot claim to support the rule of law while turning a blind eye to those who employ unauthorized workers,” Senator Kolkhorst said during a floor debate.
The bill also included enforcement provisions, such as temporary debarment from state contracts for companies that fail to comply. Advocates, including some labor organizations and business groups aligned with immigration reform, said the bill would create a more level playing field by ensuring that all businesses follow the same hiring standards.
However, the measure drew significant opposition from agricultural groups, construction associations, and business leaders who rely heavily on immigrant labor. Critics warned that the bill could cripple sectors already facing worker shortages and burden small businesses with additional red tape. “This bill would create compliance nightmares for family farms and ranches that are already struggling to hire enough hands,” said John Carlton of the Texas Agriculture Workforce Coalition.
Opponents also questioned the reliability of the E-Verify system itself. Though widely used, E-Verify is known to produce false positives that can mistakenly deny employment to legal workers, particularly those with recent immigration status changes or name discrepancies. “It’s a flawed system that can hurt the very people it claims to protect,” said Rep. Mary González (D-Clint), who voted against the bill in committee.
The bill’s failure illustrates the deep divide within Texas politics over how to balance border security and economic stability. Texas is home to nearly 5 million foreign-born residents, many of whom contribute to key industries like farming, meat processing, hospitality, and homebuilding. While some lawmakers have called for stricter enforcement mechanisms, others stress the need for pragmatic immigration policies that recognize the labor realities on the ground.
The political backdrop also played a role. With the 2026 election cycle already stirring primary challenges, some House Republicans were wary of supporting a bill that could alienate business constituencies or provoke backlash in districts reliant on immigrant labor.
Though SB 324 is now effectively shelved for the current legislative session, supporters have vowed to revisit the issue in future sessions. Meanwhile, the debate over E-Verify mirrors a broader national conversation, as states like Florida, Georgia, and Arizona have implemented their own mandates with varying degrees of success and controversy.
As Texas continues to experience economic growth fueled in part by a diverse labor force, lawmakers are likely to revisit immigration-related legislation in the near future. The outcome of SB 324 suggests that any future efforts will require greater consensus not only within the legislature but also among the industries and communities most affected.
