HB158 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mike Hill

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Richard BaughnWes LongLynn GreerWilliam RobertsTerri CollinsKerry RichBlaine GalliherMicky HammonMac McCutcheonBecky Nordgren

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Business licenses, municipality, county, or other political subdivision of this state to use E-verify to determine legal status of person applying for business license

Summary

HB158 would require cities, counties, and other political subdivisions in Alabama to use the E-Verify system to check the legal work status of anyone applying for a business license.

What This Bill Does

If passed, local governments issuing business licenses must use E-Verify to determine whether an applicant is legally present in the United States. City or county staff are not allowed to independently decide someone is unauthorized; the determination must come from the federal government through E-Verify. If the verification cannot confirm legal presence, the license cannot be issued. The bill provides definitions for E-Verify and unauthorized alien.

Who It Affects

• Local governments (cities, counties, and other political subdivisions) that issue business licenses would be required to use E-Verify to check applicants' legal status.
• Individuals applying for a business license would be screened for legal work status, and those not verified as legally present could not receive a license.

Key Provisions

• Section 1(a): A city, county, or other political subdivision issuing a business license must utilize E-Verify to determine the legal status of an applicant.
• Section 1(b): City/county staff may not independently determine whether someone is an unauthorized alien; the status must be determined through the federal government under 8 U.S.C. §1373(c).
• Section 1(c): If E-Verify cannot verify that the applicant is legally present in the United States, the license may not be issued.
• Section 1(d): Defines E-Verify and Unauthorized Alien for purposes of the act.
• Section 2: The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Licenses and Licensing