Plain English Breakdown
The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.
Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.
SB1038 • 2026
Requires all employers to enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program
This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.
The plain English breakdown is still being put together. The official documents below are already here.
Second Read and Referred S General Laws Committee
S First Read
Prefiled
The following summaries of this bill are available: Print All Summaries Introduced Print SB 1038 - Current law requires only public employers to enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program, while all other employers are permitted, but not required, to enroll and participate. This act requires all employers to enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program. Furthermore, the act includes penalties for failure to enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program, as follows: (1) For a first offense, the Attorney General shall direct the applicable municipal or county governing body to suspend any applicable license, permit, or exemptions of any such employer for thirty days and the employer shall be fined $2,000 for each unauthorized alien performing work for the employer; (2) For a second offense, the Attorney General shall direct the applicable municipal or county governing body to suspend any applicable license, permit, or exemptions of any such employer for ninety days and the employer shall be fined $2,000 for each unauthorized alien performing work for the employer; (3) For a third offense, the Attorney General shall direct the applicable municipal or county governing body to suspend any applicable license, permit, or exemptions of any such employer for one year. This act is identical to SB 528 (2025), substantially similar to a provision in SB 114 (2025), HB 120 (2025), and SB 1373 (2024), and similar to a provision in HB 1515 (2024), a provision in HCS/HB 2489 (2024), a provision in HB 2844 (2024), and a provision in HCS/HB 188 (2023). SCOTT SVAGERA