Senate approves bill requiring E-Verify/SAVE checks for public hires and some professional licenses

The Iowa Senate on Thursday passed Senate File 2412, a measure that would use E-Verify and the federal SAVE program to verify U.S. citizenship and immigration status for newly hired public employees and some professional license applicants.

Senator Kelker (Senator from Dubuque) described the bill and introduced Senate Amendment 50 31, which applies E-Verify to the legislative branch, creates a 10-day appeals window for individuals contesting E-Verify or SAVE results, and assigns appeals to either DIA or the Legislative Council depending on the employer. Kelker also said the amendment adds reporting requirements for entities covered by the bill, including boards, schools, counties and cities, and said checks showing lack of lawful status would be reported to ICE and appropriate federal agencies.

An amendment to the amendment, Senate Amendment 50 35, clarified that reporting would occur after the 10-day appeal window if no appeal is filed or after the conclusion of an unsuccessful appeal. That amendment was adopted; the primary amendment (50 31) as amended was then adopted. The sponsor moved SF2412 as amended for final reading and passage.

The secretary read the bill caption and the roll-call vote showed a constitutional majority (47 ayes, 0 nays); the Senate declared the bill passed and granted unanimous consent to immediately message the bill to the House.

Supporters said the bill protects public trust in government hiring and aligns state practice with federal verification sources. The transcript records no substantive floor opposition during the adoption and final passage stages.