NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, this week passed legislation in the Tennessee House of Representatives to ensure only people lawfully residing in the United States are hired by state and local governments in Tennessee.
House Bill 1705 would require state and local government employers to verify the work authorization status of all new hires and appointees before employment.
“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,” said Rudd. “This legislation ensures all levels of government in the Volunteer State put the best interests of Tennesseans first in hiring decisions. I’m grateful to my colleagues for firmly standing for transparency, accountability and responsible governance.”
All hires by state and local government entities, including boards and local education agencies, would be required to have lawful status verified using the federal government’s E-Verify program beginning July 1, 2026. Documentation of E-Verify results would be retained throughout the employee’s tenure.
House Bill 1705 also empowers the Tennessee attorney general to withhold state-shared tax revenue and other state funding from non-compliant municipalities.
In 2022, Republican lawmakers passed a law requiring private employers with 35 employees or more to verify employment eligibility using E-Verify.
House Bill 1705 is part of a major immigration reform package announced by Tennessee Republicans in collaboration with the Trump administration. The Immigration 2026 legislative package aims to close enforcement gaps, protect Tennessee taxpayers and require active enforcement of immigration laws across the state.
The companion version of House Bill 1705 is still advancing through the Senate.
State Rep. Tim Rudd represents District 34 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Rutherford County.