SB71 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Immigration, requiring applicants for business licenses and occupational tax certificates to prove enrollment in and use of E-Verify, exceptions, penalties, Sec. 31-13-15.1 added

Summary

SB 71 would require counties and municipalities to verify that businesses employing five or more people use E-Verify before issuing licenses or permits, with penalties for false information.

What This Bill Does

It adds a requirement that any county or municipality must require evidence of E-Verify enrollment before issuing a business license, permit, or similar document to a business that employs five or more people. The evidence is provided by an affidavit approved by the Attorney General, showing the employer uses E-Verify (or is exempt) and includes the E-Verify user number and enrollment date; renewals must use the same E-Verify number unless a sworn reason is provided. There are penalties for false or misleading affidavits or for officials who knowingly violate the provisions, with a good-faith defense. The act becomes effective three months after passage and is described as potentially requiring local funds, but it is exempt from local-funds approval rules because it creates or amends a crime.

Who It Affects

• Employers in Alabama that have five or more employees; they must enroll in E-Verify and provide the required evidence before obtaining or renewing a business license or permit, or face penalties for false information.
• County and municipal governments that issue business licenses or permits; they must enforce the new requirement, collect the E-Verify evidence, and process renewals with the proper documentation.

Key Provisions

• Adds Section 31-13-15.1 requiring that before issuing a county or municipality business license, permit, or other operating document to a person employing five or more, the applicant must provide evidence of E-Verify enrollment or evidence that the section does not apply.
• Evidence is provided via an affidavit approved by the Attorney General, including the employer's E-Verify user number and enrollment date; for renewals, the same E-Verify number must be used unless an exemption applies.
• If the E-Verify number on renewal changes, the applicant must include a sworn explanation; failure to comply triggers the section’s requirements.
• Penalties include Class C misdemeanors for presenting false or misleading evidence, for officials who violate the subsection, and for knowingly submitting a false affidavit; a good-faith defense is available.
• The Attorney General will provide a standardized affidavit form; the act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.
• The bill acknowledges potential local-funds impact but is designed to be exempt from Amendment 621 local-funds requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime.

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

Subjects

Immigration Law