West Lucas News

State Representative Josh Williams of Sylvania Township voted in favor of the E-Verify Workforce Integrity Act, also known as House Bill 246. The bill aims to ensure that all workers hired for covered construction projects in Ohio are legally authorized to work in the United States.

“HB 246 is another example of the legislature putting Ohio first,” stated Williams. “By ensuring that Ohio jobs are filled by Ohio workers, we can continue our efforts to rebuild the middle class that was destroyed under the Biden administration.”

The legislation mandates that contractors, subcontractors, and labor brokers working on public works projects for state agencies and political subdivisions use the federal E-Verify program to confirm employee eligibility. This requirement extends to private-sector contractors involved in nonresidential construction.

The bill grants authority to the Attorney General to investigate suspected violations, issue notices of violation, and enforce compliance through legal action if necessary. Penalties for non-compliance include fines, disqualification from state contracts for up to two years, and potential suspension or revocation of licenses, particularly when unauthorized workers are knowingly employed.

House Bill 246 now proceeds to the Ohio Senate for further deliberation.