Rep. Kishman Votes in Support of the E-Verify Workforce Integrity Ac

COLUMBUS – State Representative Mathew Kishman (R-Minerva) on Wednesday voted in support of the E-Verify Workforce Integrity Act, or H.B. 246, legislation to ensure all workers hired in Ohio for covered construction projects are legally authorized to work in the United States.

“Though HB 246 does not fully address the systematic undercutting of Ohio’s construction industry by bad actors leveraging illegal migrant labor, I believe we’ve taken a significant step toward protecting Ohio’s workers and disincentivizing exploitation,” said Kishman.

Under the legislation, all contractors, subcontractors, and labor brokers working on public works projects for state agencies and political subdivisions must use the federal E-Verify program to confirm employee eligibility. This requirement also applies to private-sector contractors in nonresidential construction.

The bill also empowers the Attorney General to investigate suspected violations, issue notices of violation, and pursue enforcement through the courts if necessary. 

Penalties include fines, disqualification from state contracts for up to two years, and license suspension or revocation, especially when unauthorized workers are knowingly employed. 

House Bill 246 now advances to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.