NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee House of Representatives has passed legislation that would require state and local government employers to verify that newly hired employees are legally authorized to work in the United States.

The measure, House Bill 1705, sponsored by State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, would mandate that all state and local government agencies confirm the lawful work status of new hires and appointees before they begin employment.

If enacted, the legislation would require government employers — including state agencies, municipal governments, boards, and local education agencies — to verify employment eligibility using the federal E-Verify system beginning July 1, 2026. Employers would also be required to retain documentation of the verification results for the duration of the employee’s tenure.

Rudd said the proposal is intended to ensure taxpayer-funded positions are filled by individuals authorized to work in the country. “Using taxpayer dollars to employ someone illegally residing in our nation is an insult to the law-abiding residents who make Tennessee strong and prosperous,” Rudd said in a statement. “This legislation ensures all levels of government in the Volunteer State put the best interests of Tennesseans first in hiring decisions.”

Under the bill, the Tennessee Attorney General's Office would be authorized to withhold state-shared tax revenue and certain other funding from municipalities that fail to comply with the verification requirements.

Part of Broader Immigration Policy Debate - The proposal comes as part of a broader immigration-related policy effort being pursued by Republican lawmakers in Tennessee. Supporters of the legislation say it closes potential enforcement gaps and aligns government hiring practices with existing employment verification laws.

In 2022, Tennessee lawmakers approved legislation requiring private employers with 35 or more employees to verify workers’ eligibility using the E-Verify system.

Supporters argue that extending similar requirements to government employers ensures consistency and protects taxpayer-funded jobs.

However, immigration policy remains a subject of ongoing debate nationwide. Critics of strict verification measures in other states have previously raised concerns that such laws can increase administrative burdens on government agencies and potentially discourage qualified workers from applying for public-sector jobs.

Next Steps - The companion version of House Bill 1705 is currently advancing through the Tennessee Senate. If approved by both chambers and signed into law by Bill Lee, the requirements would take effect in mid-2026.

House Bill 1705 Summary: The bill would require state and local government employers in Tennessee to verify the work authorization status of all new employees using the federal E-Verify system beginning July 1, 2026. Government entities covered under the law include state agencies, counties, cities, boards, commissions, and local education agencies (LEAs). Employers must also keep documentation of the E-Verify verification results for the entire time the employee works for the government entity.

The legislation would also allow the Tennessee Attorney General to investigate credible complaints that a local government or school system failed to comply with the requirement. If a violation is confirmed, the attorney general could take steps to withhold state funding — including grants, contracts, and state-shared tax revenue — until the entity complies.

Additionally, the bill expands existing state law governing oversight of local government actions. It clarifies that failing to follow this employment verification requirement, or other immigration-related state laws, could be treated as a violation of state law, which could trigger enforcement actions by the attorney general.

• The Senate version of the bill, SB 1922, was recommended for passage on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Rep. Rudd represents District 34 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes portions of Rutherford County.