HB4198

E-Verify Safe Harbor Act

Chamber Passed·2/10/26

West Virginia HB4198 establishes requirements for verifying the legal employment status of workers and outlines penalties for employing unauthorized.

West Virginia HB4198, the E-Verify Safe Harbor Act, mandates that employers verify the legal employment status of workers using the federal E-Verify system. Employers must provisionally employ new hires until their work authorization is verified. The bill prohibits employing unauthorized workers and outlines fines for violations, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses. It also prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances that contravene the commissioner's enforcement abilities. Employers using E-Verify in good faith are granted civil protections.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Last
Passed the House · 31–3 · Feb 10
Current
The Senate
Next
Senate floor vote

Sponsors

0
11
RRRRRRRRRRR
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

31 Yea

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

3 Nay

RDD

Calendar

Mar 11

12:00 AM

Senate Judiciary Committee Meeting

Mar 10

12:00 AM

Senate Judiciary Committee Meeting

History

Mar 14

Senate

Having been read 3rd time 3/13/2026

Mar 14

Senate

Committee amendment reported

Mar 14

Senate

Rose amend. to committee amendment rejected (Voice vote)