SB57 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul Sanford

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

E-Verify, ALVerify, or E-Verify employer agent service, use by businesses, employers, and certain subcontractors to verify immigration status and employment eligibility authorized, Act 2011-535, 2011 Reg. Sess. am'd.; Secs. 31-13-9, 31-13-15 am'd.

Summary

SB57 gives Alabama businesses and subcontractors a choice to verify employees using E-Verify, ALVerify, or the E-Verify employer agent service for state contracts and funding.

What This Bill Does

SB57 allows business entities and employers in Alabama, and subcontractors on state-funded projects, to choose among three methods to verify work eligibility: federal E-Verify, the ALVerify program, or the E-Verify employer agent service. They must enroll or participate and verify each employee as required, and attest that they do not knowingly employ unauthorized aliens. It strengthens enforcement with contract-related penalties (such as breach, license suspension or revocation) for violations, while providing defenses for good-faith compliance and clarifying exemptions for certain relationships and domestic labor.

Who It Affects

• Businesses and employers in Alabama that hire employees and seek or receive state contracts, grants, or incentives; they would have the option to use E-Verify, ALVerify, or the E-Verify employer agent service and must attest to not employing unauthorized aliens.
• Subcontractors on projects paid for by state contracts, grants, or incentives; they would have the same verification options and attestations, and could face contract termination or license actions for violations.

Key Provisions

• Allows use of E-Verify, ALVerify, or the E-Verify employer agent service to verify employee immigration status and eligibility.
• Requires enrollment or participation in the chosen system and verification of every employee as required by law or contract.
• Requires sworn affidavits and documentation showing enrollment in E-Verify or use of ALVerify or the E-Verify employer agent service.
• Enforcement provisions: first violation can be treated as a breach of contract with possible contract termination and license/suspension actions; second or subsequent violations can lead to contract termination, permanent license revocation, or statewide license suspension.
• Contractors shall not be liable for subcontractor violations if the direct subcontractor is in good faith in compliance and provides an affidavit.
• Provides an affirmative defense for good-faith compliance with federal work authorization rules; federal determinations govern whether an employee is unauthorized.
• Secretary of State to adopt rules; compliance may be verified by state authorities; penalties and enforcement mechanisms described for agencies and officials.
• Not applicable to independent contractors’ employees performing work for the party or to casual domestic labor within a household.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Immigration Law