Pandemic Darlings The pandemic economy, in original documents
Home Source documents Meeting Packet — Commerce Committee, House of Representatives (December 11, 2025)

Meeting Packet — Commerce Committee, House of Representatives (December 11, 2025)

Summary

A meeting packet of the Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives, with a notice for Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 2:30PM. The notice lists consideration of CS/HB 89 Veterinary Prescription Disclosure, HB 191 Verification of Reemployment Assistance Benefit Eligibility, and HB 197 Employment Eligibility. The bill analysis of CS/HB 89 states that the bill requires licensed veterinarians to inform clients of their right to receive a written prescription before dispensing medication, with an effective date of July 1, 2026. The packet closes with the text of HB 197 (2026), which amends the Florida Statutes on E-Verify use by private employers.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Cite this document

“Meeting Packet — Commerce Committee, House of Representatives (December 11, 2025).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2025-12-11-3285-commerce-committee-meeting-packets-fn-com-12-11-25-6abae8c8a5/, SHA-256 90a7d6d635dc9cc30c8a4fd55c9cc4fbef4c8f9d852930b847d4e63c18ce4196.

Full text

               Commerce Committee
                Thursday, December 11, 2025
                     12:30 PM - 2:30PM
                  Webster Hall (212 Knott)




                      Meeting Packet




Daniel Perez                                  James Buchanan
Speaker                                                 Chair
                                         Committee Meeting Notice
                                              HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES




                                                 Commerce Committee

Start Date and Time:               Thursday, December 11, 2025 12:30 PM

End Date and Time:                 Thursday, December 11, 2025 02:30 PM

Location:                          Webster Hall (212 Knott)
Duration:                          2.00 hrs


Consideration of the following bill(s):

CS/HB 89 Veterinary Prescription Disclosure by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee, Brackett
HB 191 Verification of Reemployment Assistance Benefit Eligibility by Abbott
HB 197 Employment Eligibility by Jacques, Michael




                             NOTICE FINALIZED on 12/04/2025 4:00PM by Young.Kimberly


 12/04/2025     04:01:17PM                                  Leagis ®                                         Page 1 of 1
CS/HB 89
                                     FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                               BILL ANALYSIS
       This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: CS/HB 89                                                        COMPANION BILL: None
TITLE: Veterinary Prescription Disclosure                               LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Brackett                                                    RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
         Industries & Professional Activities                                                            Commerce
                   11 Y, 0 N, As CS                                    

SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill requires licensed veterinarians to inform their clients of their right to receive a written prescription for
medication before dispensing it. The veterinarian or an authorized staff member is required to provide such clients
with the option to either have the prescription filled at the veterinary establishment or obtain a written
prescription to be filled at a pharmacy of the client’s choice. This disclosure must be made verbally during in-
person consultations or electronically during veterinary telehealth consultations, and must be documented in the
patient's medical record.

The bill provides an exception when immediate dispensing of medication is necessary to preserve life or prevent
suffering, or if the prescription is for a controlled substance that is restricted by federal or state law.

Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have an indeterminate positive fiscal impact on veterinary clients.


JUMP TO                  SUMMARY                          ANALYSIS                  RELEVANT INFORMATION                    BILL HISTORY


ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill requires:
    Licensed veterinarians to clearly inform their clients of their right to receive a written prescription before
        the veterinarian dispenses a prescription medication.
    Licensed veterinarians, or authorized veterinary staff, to provide the client with the option to have the
        prescription filled at the veterinary establishment or to obtain a written prescription that may be filled at a
        pharmacy of the client's choice. (Section 1)

The bill requires each such disclosure to be made:
    Verbally, if the consultation with the client is in person; or
    Electronically, if the consultation with the client is through veterinary telehealth. (Section 1)

The bill requires that the option chosen by the client (verbal or electronic) to be documented in the patient's
medical record. (Section 1)

The requirements of the bill do not apply if:
    Immediate dispensing of medication is necessary to preserve life or prevent suffering; or
    The prescription is for a controlled substance, the dispensing of which is restricted by federal or state law.
       (Section 1)

The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2026. (Section 2)
STORAGE NAME: h0089b.COM
DATE: 12/4/2025
                                                                                                                                             1
                                                                                                                             CS/HB 89

FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
PRIVATE SECTOR:
The bill may increase access and provide additional options for obtaining necessary medications for animal
owners, and may reduce the price for such medications.

RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Practice of Veterinary Medicine

The Board of Veterinary Medicine (Board) within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
implements the provisions of ch. 474, F.S., relating to veterinary medical practice (practice act). The purpose of the
practice act is to ensure that every veterinarian practicing in this state meets minimum requirements for safe
practices to protect public health and safety.1

A “veterinarian” is a health care practitioner licensed by the Board to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine
in Florida.2 Veterinarians are subject to disciplinary action from the Board for various violations of the practice
act.3 Veterinary establishments are required to have a premises permit issued by DBPR.4 Veterinarian licenses are
renewed every two years,5 however premises permits have no expiration date.

Veterinary medicine includes, with respect to animals:6
    Surgery;
    Acupuncture;
    Obstetrics;
    Dentistry;
    Physical therapy;
    Radiology;
    Theriogenology (reproductive medicine); and
    Other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine.

The “practice of veterinary medicine” is the diagnosis of medical conditions of animals, and the prescribing or
administering of medicine and treatment to animals for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily
injury, or disease, or holding oneself out as performing any of these functions.7

The practice act defines a “patient” as any animal for which the veterinarian practices veterinary medicine. 8

The practice act defines a “veterinarian/client/patient relationship” (VCPR) as one in which a veterinarian has
assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of an animal and its need for medical
treatment.9


1
  S. 474.201, F.S.
2
  S. 474.202(11), F.S.
3
  Ss. 474.213 & 474.214, F.S.
4
  S. 474.215(1), F.S.
5
  S. 474.211, F.S.
6
  See s. 474.202(13), F.S. Section 474.202(1), F.S., defines “animal” as “any mammal other than a human being or any bird,
amphibian, fish, or reptile, wild or domestic, living or dead.”
7
  See s. 474.202(9), F.S. Also included is the determination of the health, fitness, or soundness of an animal, and the performance of
any manual procedure for the diagnosis or treatment of pregnancy or fertility or infertility of animals.
8
  S. 474.202(8), F.S.
9
  S. 474.202(12), F.S.
JUMP TO                  SUMMARY                       ANALYSIS                RELEVANT INFORMATION                 BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                                                         2
                                                                                                                             CS/HB 89

Prescription Authority

Veterinarians are authorized to prescribe drugs in the course of veterinary practice, but may be disciplined by the
Board for certain related violations, including for ordering, prescribing, or making available medicinal drugs10 or
controlled substances11 for use other than for the specific treatment of animal patients for which there is a
documented VCPR.12

The practice act also makes the following prescription related violations grounds for disciplinary action:
    Performing or prescribing unnecessary or unauthorized treatment;13
    Providing, prescribing, ordering, or making available for human use medicinal drugs or drugs as defined in
       chapter 465, F.S., controlled substances as defined in chapter 893, F.S., or any material, chemical, or
       substance used exclusively for animal treatment;14
    Prescribing or dispensing a legend drug as defined in chapter 499, F.S., including any controlled substance,
       inappropriately or in excessive or inappropriate quantities;15
    Presigning blank prescription forms; or16
    Failing to maintain accurate records or reports as required by [chapter 474, F.S.] or by federal or state laws
       or rules pertaining to the storing, labeling, selling, dispensing, prescribing, and administering of controlled
       substances.17

Veterinarians are required to give the owner of a patient, before dispensing any drug, a written
prescription when requested.18

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “many states require that a prescription be provided
upon client request, and the majority of states prohibit veterinarians from prescribing animal medications
outside of a VCPR. Clearly written prescriptions help prevent misunderstandings and misinterpretations that can
harm patient health.”19

Controlled Substances

The federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA)20 specifically prohibits practitioners (physicians, dentists,
veterinarians, and certain researchers)21 from prescribing controlled substances via the Internet without an in-
person evaluation, but the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act (Haight Act),22 signed into law in
October 200823 created a pathway for telehealth practitioners to dispense controlled substances via telehealth.


10
   S. 465.003(15), F.S.
11
   S. 893.02(4), F.S.
12
   S. 474.214(1)(y), F.S.
13
   S. 474.214(1)(l), F.S.
14
   S. 474.214(1)(z), F.S.
15
   S. 474.214(1)(ff), F.S.
16
   S. 474.214(1)(ii), F.S.
17
   S. 474.214(1)(mm), F.S.
18
   S. 474.214(1)(pp), F.S.
19
   American Veterinary Medical Association, Pharmacy and prescription issues, https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-
and-welfare/animal-health/pharmacy (last visited November 4, 2025).
20 Pub. L. 91-513, tit. II, 84 Stat. 1242 (1970) (codified as amended at 21 U.S.C. §§ 801–904).
21 21 U.S.C., s. 802(21), defines ‘‘practitioner’’ as a physician, dentist, veterinarian, scientific investigator, pharmacy, hospital, or

other person licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted, by the United States or the jurisdiction in which he practices or does
research, to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to, administer, or use in teaching or chemical analysis, a
controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research.
22
   Ryan Haight Online Consumer Protection Act of 2008, Public Law 110-425 (H.R. 6353).
23
   21 CFR s. 829, the in-person medical evaluation requires that the patient be in the physical presence of the provider without regard
to the presence or conduct of other professionals.
JUMP TO                  SUMMARY                       ANALYSIS                RELEVANT INFORMATION                 BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                                                       3
                                                                                                             CS/HB 89
The practitioner is still subject to the requirement that all controlled substance prescriptions be issued for a
legitimate purpose by a practitioner acting in the usual course of professional practice. But, once an in-person
evaluation of the patient has occurred, the practitioner may provide future prescriptions for controlled substances
for that patient using telehealth services.24

Florida law prohibits a telehealth provider from using (human) telehealth services to prescribe a controlled
substance except when treating a psychiatric disorder, an inpatient at a licensed hospital, a patient receiving
hospice services, or a resident of a nursing home facility.25

Federal Prescription Authority

In order to purchase, prescribe, administer or dispense controlled substances in Florida, veterinarians must obtain
a registration from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). According to the CSA, a veterinarian is considered a
“practitioner,” and is authorized to “distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to, administer, or use in
teaching or chemical analysis, a controlled substance in the course of professional practice or research.”26 Unless
otherwise exempted, every practitioner who dispenses, which includes administering and prescribing, controlled
substances in schedules II through V, must be registered with the DEA,27and must comply with applicable state and
local laws.28

A practitioner’s registration must be renewed every three years.29

Veterinary Telehealth

Florida allows veterinarians to prescribe certain medications under certain conditions via telehealth.30 Telehealth
based prescriptions are limited to timeframes of up to 1 month for flea and tick control drugs and 14 days for other
animal drugs.31 Veterinarians are prohibited from prescribing certain drugs and controlled substances unless the
veterinarian has conducted an in-person physical examination, or made medically appropriate and timely visits to
the premises where the animal is kept.

Veterinarians are prohibited from using telehealth to:
    Prescribe a controlled substance as defined in chapter 893, F.S., unless the veterinarian has conducted an
       in-person physical examination of the animal or made medically appropriate and timely visits within the
       past year to the premises where the animal is kept.32
           o Penalties for violations are punishable by the Board and include:33
                    Administrative fine from $2,000 to $5,000 and one to two years probation.
                    For a second or subsequent offense, two years probation up to one year suspension, and an
                        administrative fine of $4,000 to $5,000.
    Prescribe a drug or other medication for use on a horse engaged in racing or training at a facility under the
       jurisdiction of the Florida Gaming Control Commission or on a horse that is a covered horse as defined in
       the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, 15 U.S.C. ss. 3051 et seq.34
           o Penalties for violations are punishable by the Board and include:35

24
   Id.
25
   S. 456.47(2)(c), F.S.
26
   21 U.S.C. s. 802(21).
27
   21 U.S.C. s. 822(a)(2), and 21 CFR 1301.11(a).
28 21 U.S.C. s. 822(f).
29
   21 CFR 1301.13(e)(1)(iv).
30
   S. 474.2021, F.S.
31 S. 474.2021(4)(e)1., F.S.
32
   S. 474.2021(4)(e) 3., F.S.
33
   R. 61G18-30.001(rr), F.A.C.
34
   S. 474.2021(4)(e) 4, F.S.
35
   R. 61G18-30.001(ss), F.A.C.
JUMP TO                 SUMMARY                     ANALYSIS         RELEVANT INFORMATION           BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                                     4
                                                                                                              CS/HB 89
                       Reprimand and an administrative fine of $2,000 to $3,000.
                       For a second or subsequent offense, two years probation up to two years suspension
                        followed by two years probation and an administrative fine of $4,000 to $5,000.
        Issue an international or interstate travel certificate or a certificate of veterinary inspection.36
             o Penalties for violations are punishable by the Board and include:37
                      Up to one year suspension followed by one year probation an administrative fine of $3,000
                        up to revocation and a fine of $5,000.
                      For a second or subsequent offense, three year suspension and an administrative fine of five
                        thousand dollars up to revocation and a fine of five thousand dollars.

Veterinary Medical Records

Individual medical records are required to be maintained on every patient by the veterinarian, except for clients
owning or leasing 10 or more animals of the same species. The records must be kept for at least three years after
date of last entry, and must contain all clinical information pertaining to the patient with sufficient information to
justify the diagnosis or determination of health status and warrant any treatment recommended or administered.38

Medical records must be created as treatment is provided or within 24 hours from the time of treatment, include
the date of each service performed, and contain the following information:39
     Name of owner or agent.
     Patient identification.
     Record of any vaccinations administered.
     Complaint or reason for provision of services.
     History.
     Physical examination to include, but not limited to patient weight, temperature, pulse, and respiration, or
        noted exceptions to the collection of said information.
     A telehealth provider must make notation that the examination was conducted by telehealth. If the
        telehealth provider is unable to obtain any of the required information, the record should state reason for
        deficiency.
     Any present illness or injury noted.
     Provisional diagnosis or health status determination.

Medical records must also contain the following information if the services are provided or occur during
examination or treatment:40
    Clinical laboratory reports.
    Radiographs and their interpretation.
    Consultation.
    Treatment – medical, surgical.
    Hospitalization.
    Drugs prescribed, administered, or dispensed along with the route, strength, and dosage of the drug and
       time said drug was administered if not otherwise discernible from the record.
    Tissue examination report.
    Necropsy findings.




36
   S. 474.2021(4)(h), F.S.
37
   R. 61G18-30.001(tt), F.A.C.
38
   R. 61G18-18.002(1), F.A.C.
39
   R. 61G18-18.002(3), F.A.C.
40
   R. 61G18-18.002(4), F.A.C.
JUMP TO                   SUMMARY               ANALYSIS            RELEVANT INFORMATION            BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                                      5
                                                                                                             CS/HB 89
Veterinarians are required to maintain confidentiality of all patient records in their possession or control, and such
records may not be disclosed without the consent of the client. Appropriate disclosure may be made without
consent:41
     In any civil or criminal action, unless otherwise prohibited by law, upon the issuance of a subpoena from a
       court of competent jurisdiction and proper notice by the party seeking such records to the client or his/her
       legal representative.
     When required by the Board’s rules.

Veterinarians are required, upon a written request, to furnish, in a timely manner without delays for legal reviews,
a true and correct copy of the patient records to the client, or to anyone designated by the client. The veterinarian
is not allowed to charge a fee for such records, except for the reasonable cost of duplication.42

Medical records may be maintained in an easily retrievable electronic data format.43

RECENT LEGISLATION:

     YEAR                       BILL #/SUBJECT                               HOUSE/SENATE                    OTHER INFORMATION
                                                                               SPONSOR(S)
     2024      HB 849 - Veterinary Practices                              Killebrew, Buchanan/           Became law on July 1, 2024.
                                                                                 Bradley



OTHER RESOURCES:
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation – VETERINARY MEDICINE


                                                            BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                      STAFF
                                                                                                    DIRECTOR/               ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE                     ACTION           DATE                                      POLICY CHIEF           PREPARED BY
Industries & Professional Activities 11 Y, 0 N, As CS 11/18/2025                                      Anstead               Thompson
Subcommittee
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE Made a technical change correcting terminology.
COMMITTEE:
Commerce Committee                                                       Hamon                                               Thompson


       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
       -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




41
   R. 61G18-18.002(5), F.A.C.
42
   R. 61G18-18.002(6), F.A.C.
43
   R. 61G18-18.002(9), F.A.C.
JUMP TO                    SUMMARY                         ANALYSIS                RELEVANT INFORMATION                  BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                                                               6
F   L      O   R   I   D   A     H   O   U   S   E      O   F      R   E   P    R   E   S   E   N   T   A   T    I   V   E   S




           CS/HB 89                                                                                              2026




    1                                         A bill to be entitled
    2              An act relating to veterinary prescription disclosure;
    3              creating s. 474.224, F.S.; requiring a veterinarian to
    4              inform a client of the right to receive a written
    5              prescription and to provide certain options to the
    6              client regarding the filling of such prescription;
    7              providing requirements therefor; providing exceptions;
    8              providing an effective date.
    9
10         Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
11
12                 Section 1.         Section 474.224, Florida Statutes, is created
13         to read:
14                 474.224       Veterinary prescription disclosure.—
15                 (1)(a)       Before dispensing a prescription medication, a
16         licensed veterinarian must clearly inform a client of the
17         client's right to receive a written prescription for the
18         medication.
19                 (b)     The veterinarian, or an authorized member of the
20         veterinary staff, must provide the client with the option to
21         have the prescription filled at the veterinary establishment or
22         to obtain a written prescription that may be filled at a
23         pharmacy of the client's choice.
24                 (c)     Each disclosure required under this subsection shall
25         be made:

                                                         Page 1 of 2

        CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
                                                                                                                hb89-01-c1
F   L   O   R   I   D   A     H   O   U   S   E      O   F      R   E   P    R   E   S   E   N   T   A   T    I   V   E   S




        CS/HB 89                                                                                              2026




26              1.      Verbally, if the consultation with the client is in
27      person; or
28              2.      Electronically, if the consultation with the client is
29      through veterinary telehealth.
30              (d)      The option chosen by the client under paragraph (b)
31      must be documented in the patient's medical record.
32              (2)      This section does not apply if:
33              (a)      Immediate dispensing of medication is necessary to
34      preserve life or prevent suffering; or
35              (b)      The prescription is for a controlled substance, the
36      dispensing of which is restricted by federal or state law.
37              Section 2.         This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.




                                                      Page 2 of 2

     CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
                                                                                                             hb89-01-c1
                                 COMMERCE COMMITTEE

                                CS/HB 89 by Rep. Brackett
                            Veterinary Prescription Disclosure

                                  AMENDMENT SUMMARY
                                    December 11, 2025

Amendment 116585 by Rep. Brackett (lines 16-31):
  • Requires veterinarians to provide an acknowledgement signed by the client that states
     that the client is aware of the prescription options.
  • Specifies certain transmission methods for “written prescriptions.”
  • Prohibits certain statements, notifications, warnings, or assumptions regarding filling a
     pet’s prescription through a non-veterinary approved pharmacy.
  • Requires posting of the prescription options at the point of sale.
  • Clarifies that the veterinarian does not have to fill the prescription if they are not able.
                                         COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
                                                  Bill No. CS/HB 89   (2026)
       Amendment No.




            COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE ACTION
       ADOPTED                      (Y/N)
       ADOPTED AS AMENDED           (Y/N)
       ADOPTED W/O OBJECTION        (Y/N)
       FAILED TO ADOPT              (Y/N)
       WITHDRAWN                    (Y/N)
       OTHER


1      Committee/Subcommittee hearing bill:      Commerce Committee
2      Representative Brackett offered the following:
3
4           Amendment (with title amendment)
5           Remove lines 16-31 and insert:
6      licensed veterinarian or an authorized member of the veterinary
7      staff must clearly inform a client of:
8           1.   The client's right to receive a written prescription
9      for the medication that can be filled at the pharmacy of the
10     client’s choice.
11          2.   If the veterinary establishment is able to fill the
12     prescription, the option to have the prescription filled at the
13     veterinary establishment.
14




     116585 - h0089-lines 16-31.docx
     Published On: 12/10/2025 1:51:44 PM
                                   Page 1 of 4
                                          COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
                                                  Bill No. CS/HB 89    (2026)
       Amendment No.


15     For purposes of this chapter, “written prescription” may include
16     paper prescriptions via manual transmission or electronic
17     prescriptions via direct transmission to a pharmacy.
18          (b)   Each disclosure required under this subsection shall
19     be made:
20          1.    Verbally, if the consultation with the client is in
21     person; or
22          2.    Electronically, if the consultation with the client is
23     through veterinary telehealth.
24          (c)   The option chosen by the client under paragraph (a)
25     must be documented by the veterinarian or an authorized member
26     of the veterinary staff with a one-time acknowledgement that is
27     signed by the client and that states that the client is aware of
28     the options in paragraph (a).
29          1.    The acknowledgement must be in substantially the
30     following form:
31                         ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ABILITY TO
32                         RECEIVE WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION
33          “I, (name of client), understand the veterinary client’s
34     right to receive a written prescription for the medication that
35     can be filled by the pharmacy of my choice or my veterinarian,
36     as provided in s. 474.224, Florida Statutes.”
37
38          Signature:     (signature of applicant)   Date:   (date)
39
     116585 - h0089-lines 16-31.docx
     Published On: 12/10/2025 1:51:44 PM
                                    Page 2 of 4
                                          COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
                                                  Bill No. CS/HB 89    (2026)
       Amendment No.


40          2.    An acknowledgment signed by a client under this section
41     shall be documented in the patient’s medical record.
42          3.    An acknowledgement under this section may not make a
43     statement, notification, warning, or assumption regarding the
44     efficacy or safety of filling prescriptions through an outside
45     pharmacy.
46          (d)    A veterinary establishment shall post a clear and
47     conspicuous sign near the point of sale or where checkout occurs
48     which substantially states the following:
49
50          “FLORIDA LAW GIVES THE VETERINARY CLIENT THE OPTION TO:
51          1.    RECEIVE A WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION FOR MEDICATION THAT CAN
52          BE FILLED AT THE PHARMACY OF YOUR CHOICE; OR
53          2.    HAVE YOUR PRESCRIPTION FILLED AT THE VETERINARY
54          ESTABLISHMENT, IF THE VETERINARY ESTABLISHMENT IS ABLE TO
55          FILL THE PRESCRIPTION.”
56
57
58           -----------------------------------------------------
59                         T I T L E   A M E N D M E N T
60          Remove lines 5-6 and insert:
61          prescription or the option to have the prescription
62          filled at the veterinary establishment; specifies
63          certain transmission methods for “written
64          prescriptions”; requires the disclosure to include an
     116585 - h0089-lines 16-31.docx
     Published On: 12/10/2025 1:51:44 PM
                                    Page 3 of 4
                                        COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
                                                Bill No. CS/HB 89    (2026)
       Amendment No.


65          acknowledgement signed by the client; requires the
66          acknowledgement to include certain information;
67          prohibits certain statements, notifications, warnings,
68          or assumptions; requires posting of certain
69          information;




     116585 - h0089-lines 16-31.docx
     Published On: 12/10/2025 1:51:44 PM
                                  Page 4 of 4
HB 191
                                    FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                              BILL ANALYSIS
      This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 191                                         COMPANION BILL: SB 216 (McClain)
TITLE: Verification of Reemployment Assistance Benefit LINKED BILLS: None
Eligibility                                            RELATED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Abbott
Committee References
            Housing, Agriculture & Tourism                                  Commerce
                       12 Y, 4 N                        

SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill adds conditions for disqualification from reemployment assistance and requires the Department of
Commerce to implement new provisions to verify a claimant’s eligibility.

Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on the Department of Commerce.


JUMP TO                 SUMMARY                          ANALYSIS                  RELEVANT INFORMATION                    BILL HISTORY


ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill adds the following conditions for disqualification from reemployment assistance:
    Failing to contact five prospective employers per week;
    Failing to appear on three or more occasions for a scheduled job interview without notifying the
        prospective employer of the need to cancel or reschedule the interview; or
    Failing to return to work when recalled by their former employer after a temporary layoff. (Section 2).

The bill requires the Department of Commerce (Department) to verify a claimant’s eligibility for reemployment
assistance benefits through the following measures:
     Verify the identity of each claimant.
     Cross-check the information contained in an initial claim with information in the database of the Systematic
        Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.
     Cross-check the information contained in a claim every two weeks that a claimant files a claim to ensure
        that the claimant is:
            o Living.
            o Not incarcerated.
            o Not already employed. (Section 3).

The bill also requires the Department to verify each claimant’s eligibility for reemployment assistance benefits by:
    Investigating any claim in this state associated with another existing claim for reemployment assistance
        benefits, either in this state or another state, that indicates suspicious activity.
    Examining each claim in this state filed from a foreign Internet Protocol address.
    Work with the United States Department of Labor, the Department of Justice, other state workforce
        agencies, the Department of Law Enforcement, the state attorneys, or the Office of the Statewide
        Prosecutor, as feasible, to investigate and prosecute fraudulent claims.
    Maintain a website through which an individual or an employer may report known or suspected violations
        of the Reemployment Assistance Program Law, and annually notify employers of the website.
STORAGE NAME: h0191b.COM
DATE: 12/4/2025
                                                                                                                                            1
                                                                                                                  HB 191
       Annually make available on its website a report identifying for the prior year:
           o The number of successful detections of fraudulent claims;
           o The number of claims not paid due to the detection of fraud;
           o The number of fraudulent claims paid and the amount paid on those claims;
           o The amount recovered from fraudulent overpayments;
           o The number of fraudulent claims referred for investigation and possible prosecution; and
           o The sources used to cross-check claims during the reporting period. (Section 3).

The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2026. (Section 4).

FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The Department of Commerce may incur indeterminate costs related to the creation, maintenance, and operation
of websites and database checks with the overall impact on the state expenditures remaining indeterminate. A
request for a formal analysis was submitted to the Department of Commerce on November 5, 2025.


RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Unemployment Compensation
The Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who
are unemployed through no fault of their own (as determined under state law) and who meet the requirements of
state law.1 The program is administered as a partnership between the federal government and the states.2
Individual states and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collect employer payroll taxes to pay reemployment
assistance benefits.3 Costs of administering state unemployment compensation and job service programs are paid
by the federal government.4 In addition, Federal funds pay one-half of the cost of extended unemployment benefits
(during periods of high unemployment) and provide a fund from which states may borrow, if necessary, to pay
benefits.5

States are permitted to set benefit eligibility requirements, the amount and duration of benefits, and the state tax
structure, as long as state law does not conflict with the Federal requirements.6 Florida’s Reemployment Assistance
Program was created by the Legislature in 1937 and the Department of Commerce (Department) is the agency
responsible for its administration.7 The Department contracts with the Florida Department of Revenue to provide
unemployment tax collections services.8

In Florida, which rebranded the unemployment compensation program as the reemployment assistance program

1 United States Department of Labor (DOL), Employment & Training Administration, State Unemployment Insurance Benefits,

https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/uifactsheet.asp (last visited Nov. 19, 2025).
2 DOL, Federal – State Partnership, https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/pdf/partnership.pdf (last visited Nov. 19, 2025).
3 Florida Department of Revenue, Florida Reemployment Tax,

https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/taxesfees/Pages/reemployment.aspx (last visited Nov. 19, 2025); Internal Revenue Service,
Federal Unemployment Tax, https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/federal-unemployment-tax (last visited
Nov. 19, 2025).
4 DOL, Unemployment Insurance Tax Topic,

https://oui.doleta.gov/unemploy/uitaxtopic.asp#:~:text=FUTA%20taxes%20are%20calculated%20by,times%20the%20emp
loyer's%20taxable%20wages.&text=Employers%20who%20pay%20their%20state,tax%20paid%20to%20the%20state (last
visited Nov. 19, 2025).
5 Id.
6 Federal – State Partnership, supra note 2.
7 Ch. 18402, Laws of Fla.; ss. 443.171(1) and 443.011, F.S.
8 S. 443.1316(1), F.S.

JUMP TO               SUMMARY                    ANALYSIS             RELEVANT INFORMATION             BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                                          2
                                                                                                              HB 191
in 2012,9 a qualified claimant may receive benefits equal to 25 percent of wages, not to exceed $6,325 in a benefit
year.10 Benefits range from a minimum of $32 per week to a maximum weekly benefit amount11 of $275, for a
maximum of between 12 weeks and 23 weeks.12

Disqualification for Reemployment Assistance Benefits
An individual must be disqualified from receiving reemployment assistance benefits for any of the following
reasons, which include, but are not limited to:13
     Voluntarily leaving work without good cause, or being discharged by his or her employing unit for
       misconduct connected with the work;
     Failing to apply for available suitable work when directed by the department or the One-Stop Career
       Center, to accept suitable work when offered, or to return to suitable self-employment when directed to do
       so;
     Making false or fraudulent representations in filing for benefits;
     Being discharged from employment due to drug use or rejection from a job offer for failing a drug test; or
     Becoming unavailable for work due to incarceration or imprisonment.

Benefit Eligibility
To be eligible for benefits each week of unemployment, a claimant must meet certain requirements, which
generally involve efforts to find new employment, including, but not limited to, the following:14
     Completing the Department’s online work registration;
     Reporting to the One-Stop Career Center when directed to do so by the local CareerSource board;
     Being able and available for work;
     Contacting at least 5 prospective employers each week; and
     Participating in reemployment services.

Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program
The SAVE program is an online service that verifies immigration status and U.S. citizenship of applicants seeking
benefits or licenses.15 The program assists registered federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government
agencies.16 The SAVE program does not determine eligibility, as that responsibility rests with the benefit-granting
or licensing agency.17

In order for the SAVE program to verify a benefit applicant’s immigration or citizenship status, the benefit-granting
or licensing agency must submit:18
      First and last name;
      Date of birth;
      The public benefit(s) requested by the applicant; and
      At least one unique immigration identifier such as the Alien Registration Number, I-94, SEVIS ID, I-797, or
        Citizenship Certificate Number.




9 Ch. 2012-30, Laws of Fla.
10 S. 443.111(5), F.S.
11 S. 443.111(3), F.S. The “weekly benefit amount,” is an amount equal to one twenty-sixth of the total wages for insured work

paid during the quarter of the base period where the wages paid were highest.
12 S. 443.111(5)(c), F.S.
13 S. 443.101, F.S.
14 S. 443.091(1), F.S.,
15 United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Save, https://www.uscis.gov/save/about-save/save-

verification-response-time (last visited Nov. 19, 2025).
16 Id.
17 Id.
18 USCIS, Verification Process, https://www.uscis.gov/save/about-save/save-verification-process (last visited Nov. 19, 2025).

JUMP TO                  SUMMARY                   ANALYSIS              RELEVANT INFORMATION               BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                                                 3
                                                                                                                HB 191
The SAVE program typically provides an initial response within seconds, and most requests do not require
additional verification. For those requests that do require additional verification, the response time is 15 federal
workdays.19 The SAVE program charges $3.10 per verification for federal agencies and has eliminated verification
charges for all state, local, tribal, and territorial government agencies that use the SAVE program.20 In addition, the
SAVE program charges a minimum of $25 for each month that an agency submits at least one case.21

RECENT LEGISLATION:

  YEAR                     BILL #/SUBJECT                            HOUSE/SENATE                OTHER INFORMATION
                                                                      SPONSOR(S)
  2025      CS/CS/HB 1157 - Verification of                         Abbott/ Rodriguez         The bill died in the Senate.
            Reemployment Assistance Benefit Eligibility


                                                     BILL HISTORY
                                                                                              STAFF
                                                                                            DIRECTOR/         ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE                              ACTION                  DATE              POLICY CHIEF     PREPARED BY
Housing, Agriculture & Tourism                   12 Y, 4 N            11/18/2025              Curtin          Rodriguez
Subcommittee
Commerce Committee                                                                            Hamon            Rodriguez




19 USCIS, SAVE Verification Response Time, https://www.uscis.gov/save/about-save/save-verification-response-time (last

visited Nov. 19, 2025).
20 USCIS, Transaction Charges, Transaction Charges | USCIS (last visited Nov. 19, 2025).
21 Id.

JUMP TO                SUMMARY                      ANALYSIS              RELEVANT INFORMATION              BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                                             4
F   L      O   R    I   D   A    H   O   U   S   E      O   F      R   E   P    R   E   S   E   N   T   A   T   I   V   E   S




           HB 191                                                                                               2026




    1                                         A bill to be entitled
    2               An act relating to verification of reemployment
    3               assistance benefit eligibility; providing a short
    4               title; amending s. 443.101, F.S.; revising
    5               circumstances under which the Department of Commerce
    6               disqualifies claimants from reemployment assistance
    7               benefits; creating s. 443.1112, F.S.; requiring the
    8               department to verify claimants' identities before
    9               paying benefits; requiring the department to cross-
10                  check certain information to verify claimants'
11                  eligibility under certain circumstances; providing
12                  duties of the department; requiring the department to
13                  maintain a web page for a specified purpose and to
14                  notify employers each year of the web page; providing
15                  annual reporting requirements; providing an effective
16                  date.
17
18         Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
19
20                  Section 1.        This act may be cited as the "Promoting Work,
21         Deterring Fraud Act of 2026."
22                  Section 2.        Subsection (2) of section 443.101, Florida
23         Statutes, is amended to read:
24                  443.101      Disqualification for benefits.—An individual shall
25         be disqualified for benefits:

                                                         Page 1 of 6

        CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
                                                                                                                hb191-00
F   L   O   R    I   D   A    H   O   U   S   E      O   F      R   E   P    R   E   S   E   N   T   A   T   I   V   E   S




        HB 191                                                                                               2026




26               (2)     If the Department of Commerce finds that the
27      individual has failed without good cause to apply for available
28      suitable work, to contact the required number of prospective
29      employers per week for any week of unemployment claimed in a
30      benefit year in accordance with s. 443.091, to appear on three
31      or more occasions for a scheduled job interview without
32      notifying the prospective employer of the need to cancel or
33      reschedule the interview, to accept suitable work when offered
34      to him or her, to or return to the individual's customary self-
35      employment when directed by the department, or to return to
36      employment when recalled to work by the individual's employer
37      after a temporary layoff, the disqualification continues for the
38      full period of unemployment next ensuing after he or she failed
39      without good cause to apply for available suitable work, to
40      appear on three or more occasions for a scheduled job interview
41      without notification, to accept suitable work, to or return to
42      his or her customary self-employment, or to return to his or her
43      employment after a temporary layoff, and until the individual
44      has earned income of at least 17 times his or her weekly benefit
45      amount. The department shall by rule adopt criteria to implement
46      this subsection, including criteria for determining the
47      "suitability of work," as used in this section. In developing
48      these rules, the department shall consider the duration of a
49      claimant's unemployment in determining the suitability of work
50      and the suitability of proposed rates of compensation for

                                                      Page 2 of 6

     CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
                                                                                                             hb191-00
F   L   O   R    I   D   A    H   O   U   S   E      O   F      R   E   P    R   E   S   E   N   T   A   T   I   V   E   S




        HB 191                                                                                               2026




51      available work. Further, after an individual has received 25
52      weeks of benefits in a single year, suitable work is a job that
53      pays the minimum wage and is 120 percent or more of the weekly
54      benefit amount the individual is drawing.
55               (a)      In determining whether or not any work is suitable for
56      an individual, the department shall consider the degree of risk
57      to the individual's health, safety, and morals; the individual's
58      physical fitness, prior training, experience, prior earnings,
59      length of unemployment, and prospects for securing local work in
60      his or her customary occupation; and the distance of the
61      available work from his or her residence.
62               (b)      Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter,
63      work is not deemed suitable and benefits may not be denied to
64      any otherwise eligible individual for refusing to accept new
65      work under any of the following conditions:
66               1.      The position offered is vacant due directly to a
67      strike, lockout, or other labor dispute.
68               2.      The wages, hours, or other conditions of the work
69      offered are substantially less favorable to the individual than
70      those prevailing for similar work in the locality.
71               3.      As a condition of being employed, the individual is
72      required to join a company union or to resign from or refrain
73      from joining any bona fide labor organization.
74               (c)      If the department finds that an individual was
75      rejected for offered employment as the direct result of a

                                                      Page 3 of 6

     CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
                                                                                                             hb191-00
F   L    O   R    I   D   A    H    O   U   S   E     O   F      R   E   P    R   E   S   E   N   T   A   T   I   V   E   S




         HB 191                                                                                               2026




76       positive, confirmed drug test required as a condition of
77       employment, the individual is disqualified for refusing to
78       accept an offer of suitable work.
79                Section 3.        Section 443.1112, Florida Statutes, is created
80       to read:
81                443.1112         Verification of reemployment assistance benefit
82       eligibility; detection of fraud.—
83                (1)     The Department of Commerce must verify the identity of
84       each claimant who applies for reemployment assistance benefits
85       before paying any benefits to the claimant.
86                (2)     For the initial claim for benefits made by a claimant
87       and as necessary to verify a claimant's eligibility for
88       benefits, the department must cross-check the information
89       contained in the claim with information in the database of the
90       Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Program
91       established by the United States Bureau of Citizenship and
92       Immigration Services.
93                (3)     For every 2 weeks that a claimant makes a claim for
94       benefits, including the initial claim for benefits, to verify a
95       claimant's eligibility for benefits, the department must cross-
96       check the information contained in the claim to ensure that the
97       claimant is:
98                (a)     Living.
99                (b)     Not incarcerated.
100               (c)     Not already employed.

                                                       Page 4 of 6

      CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
                                                                                                              hb191-00
F   L    O   R    I   D   A    H   O   U   S   E      O   F      R   E   P    R   E   S   E   N   T   A   T   I   V   E   S




         HB 191                                                                                               2026




101               (4)     The department shall do all of the following:
102               (a)     Investigate any claim associated with a mailing
103      address, a bank account, an e-mail address, a telephone number,
104      or an Internet protocol address that is also associated with
105      another existing claim for reemployment assistance benefits in
106      this state or another state and verify that the claim in this
107      state is legitimate and not fraudulent before paying any
108      benefits for the claim.
109               (b)     Examine each claim filed from a foreign Internet
110      protocol address before paying any benefits for the claim.
111               (c)     Work with the United States Department of Labor, the
112      United States Department of Justice, other state workforce
113      agencies, the Department of Law Enforcement, the state
114      attorneys, or the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor to share
115      information related to fraudulent claims or attempted fraudulent
116      claims to the extent feasible for further investigation and
117      proceedings brought under this chapter.
118               (d)     Maintain a web page through which an individual or an
119      employer may report known or suspected violations of this
120      chapter, including identity theft or fraud. Each year, the
121      department shall notify employers in this state of the web page
122      for reporting violations.
123               (e)     Each year, make available on its website a report
124      identifying for the prior year the number of fraudulent
125      reemployment assistance claims identified, the number of claims

                                                       Page 5 of 6

      CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
                                                                                                              hb191-00
F   L    O   R    I   D   A    H   O   U   S   E      O   F      R   E   P    R   E   S   E   N   T   A   T   I   V   E   S




         HB 191                                                                                               2026




126      not paid due to successful detection of fraudulent intentions,
127      the number of claims and the amount of reemployment assistance
128      benefits paid against claims subsequently identified as
129      fraudulent, the amount of fraudulent overpayments recovered, and
130      the number of fraudulent claims referred for investigation and
131      possible prosecution. The report must also list the sources of
132      information that were used to cross-check claims during the
133      reporting period.
134               Section 4.        This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.




                                                       Page 6 of 6

      CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
                                                                                                              hb191-00
HB 197
                                     FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                                               BILL ANALYSIS
       This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 197                                                          COMPANION BILL: None
TITLE: Employment Eligibility                                           LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Jacques and Michael                                         RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
         Industries & Professional Activities                                                            Commerce
                      12 Y, 4 N                                        

SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill expands Florida’s E-Verify employment eligibility verification requirements so that all private employers
are required to use the E-Verify system, ensuring that every new hire is legally authorized to work in the United
States, beginning on July 1, 2026.

Fiscal or Economic Impact:
Indeterminate. The bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact on state government and the private sector.


JUMP TO                  SUMMARY                          ANALYSIS                  RELEVANT INFORMATION                    BILL HISTORY


ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill expands to all private employers the requirement to use the E-Verify system to verify each employee’s
employment eligibility, beginning on July 1, 2026. (Section 1)

The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2026. (Section 2)

FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
Indeterminate. The bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact on state agencies related to enforcement.

PRIVATE SECTOR:
Indeterminate. Businesses may have additional workload related to the use of the E-Verify system1, and some may
be subject to fines related to violations.




1 E-Verify, History and Milestones, https://www.e-verify.gov/about-e-verify/history-and-milestones (last visited Nov.

21, 2025). In 1996, Congress passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which, among other
provisions, created various employment eligibility verification programs, including E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based
system through which an employer can verify that a newly hired employee is authorized to work in the United States. E-Verify
is administered by DHS in partnership with the Social Security Administration. It is free for employers to use and provides an
automated link to Government records to help employers confirm the employment eligibility of employees.
STORAGE NAME: h0197b.COM
DATE: 12/4/2025
                                                                                                                                             1
                                                                                                              HB 197
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Florida E-Verify Law
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility to work in the United
States. Florida requires the use of the E-Verify system to verify a new employee’s employment eligibility by:2
     All public employers.
     Private employers with 25 or more employees.

Each employer that is required, or who volunteers, to use the E-Verify system, must certify on its first return each
calendar year to the tax service provider that it is in compliance with the E-Verify requirements when making
contributions to or reimbursing the state’s unemployment compensation or reemployment assistance system.3

The law provides requirements for employers when the system is unavailable,4 requires employers to retain
documentation of verifications,5 and prohibits an employer from continuing to knowingly employ an unauthorized
alien.6

If the E-Verify system is unavailable for the three business days after the first day a new employee begins working
and the employer cannot access the system to verify the employee’s employment eligibility, the employer must use
the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9) to verify employment eligibility. The employer must
document the unavailability of the system by retaining: a screenshot each day that shows the employer’s inability
to access the system; a public announcement that the E-Verify system is not available; or any other communication
or notice regarding the unavailability of the system.

The following entities may request, and an employer must provide, copies of any documentation relied upon by the
employer for the verification of a new employee’s employment eligibility:7
    The Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE);
    The Attorney General (AG);
    The state attorney in the circuit in which the new employee works;
    The statewide prosecutor; or
    The Department of Commerce (DC).

These entities must rely upon the Federal Government to verify an employee’s employment eligibility and may not
independently make a final determination as to whether an employee is an unauthorized alien.8

An employer that uses the E-Verify system or, if that system is unavailable, the Form I-9, with respect to the
employment of an unauthorized alien has established a rebuttable presumption and an affirmative defense that the
employer has not violated the state prohibition on hiring unauthorized aliens,9 with respect to such employment.10

The DC is responsible for the administration of compliance requirements, as follows:11
    If it determines that an employer failed to use the E-Verify system, the DC is required to:
            o Notify the employer of its determination; and

2 S. 448.095(2)(a) and (b), F.S.
3 S. 448.095(2)(b)3., F.S.
4 S. 448.095(2)(c), F.S.
5 S. 448.095(2)(d), F.S.
6 S. 448.095(2)(e), F.S.
7 S. 448.095(3)(a), F.S.
8 S. 448.095(3)(b), F.S.
9 S. 448.09, F.S.
10 S. 448.095(4)(a), F.S.
11 S. 448.095(6), F.S.

JUMP TO                     SUMMARY            ANALYSIS             RELEVANT INFORMATION            BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                                       2
                                                                                                              HB 197
              o Provide the employer with 30 days to cure the noncompliance.
        If the DC determines that an employer failed to use the E-Verify system as required three times in any 24-
         month period, it must impose a fine of $1,000 per day until the employer provides proof of compliance.
        Noncompliance constitutes grounds for the suspension of all licenses issued by a licensing agency subject
         to chapter 120, F.S., until the noncompliance is cured.
        Fines must be deposited into the State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund for use by the
         DC for employer outreach and public notice of the state’s employment verification laws.

E-Verify Federal Law
To use the E-Verify system, an employer must open a “case” for the employee on the system and enter basic
information from the employee’s Form I-9 (name, address, SSN) into the case.12 Then, the system checks the
submitted information to records that are available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the
U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA), and issues one of the following possible results to the employer:13
     Employment Authorized - The employee’s information matched records available to the DHS and/or SSA.
     E-Verify Needs More Time - This case was referred to the DHS for further verification.
     Tentative Non-confirmation (Mismatch) - Information did not match records available to the DHS
        and/or SSA. Additional action is required.
     Case in Continuance - The employee has contacted the DHS or visited an SSA field office, but more time is
        needed to determine a final case result.
     Close Case and Resubmit – The DHS or SSA requires that the employer to close the case and create a new
        case for the employee. This result may be issued when the employee’s United States passport, passport
        card, or driver’s license information is incorrect.
     Final Non-confirmation - E-Verify cannot confirm the employee’s employment eligibility after the
        employee contacted the DHS or SSA, the time for resolving the case expired, or the DHS closed the case
        without confirming the employee’s employment eligibility for some other reason.

If the result is Tentative Non-confirmation, then the employer must notify the employee, who must take further
action to verify his or her eligibility. If the result is E-Verify Needs More Time or Case in Continuance, then the E-
Verify system needs more time to process the case.14

E-Verify Defenses for Employers
The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) provides sanctions to be imposed on employers who knowingly
employ aliens who are not authorized to work.15 Federal law contains no criminal sanction for working without
authorization, although document fraud is a civil violation.16 The United States Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) enforces these provisions.17

According to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), an employer using E-Verify or the Form I-9, establishing
good faith compliance with the law, has established an affirmative defense and a rebuttable presumption that the
person or entity has not violated the federal law with respect to such hiring, recruiting, or referring.18,19




12
   E-Verify, Verification Process, for details on how the system works, https://www.e-verify.gov/employers/verification-process (last
visited Oct. 23, 2025). Before using E-Verify, an employer must enroll and sign a Memorandum of Understanding that provides the
terms of agreement between the employer and the DHS. See E-Verify, The E-Verify Memorandum of Understanding for Employers,
https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/memos/MOUforEVerifyEmployer.pdf (last visited Nov. 21, 2025).
13
   Id.
14
   Id.
15
   8 U.S.C. s. 1324a(a)(1)-(2).
16
   8 U.S.C. s. 1324c.
17
   8 U.S.C. s. 1324a.
18
   8 U.S.C. s. 1324a(a)(3) and (b)(6).
19
   8 U.S.C. s. 1324a notes, Pilot Programs for Employment Eligibility Confirmation.
JUMP TO                 SUMMARY                       ANALYSIS               RELEVANT INFORMATION                 BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                                                        3
                                                                                                      HB 197
RECENT LEGISLATION:

  YEAR                        BILL #                     HOUSE/SENATE             OTHER INFORMATION
                                                           SPONSOR(S)
  2025                        HB 955                     Jacques, Michael      The bill passed the House, but
                                                                               died in the Senate.
  2023                      CS/HB 1617                   Michael, Jacques      The bill became effective July
                                                                               1, 2023, except as otherwise
                                                                               provided


U.S. Department of Homeland Security, E-Verify

Florida Department of Commerce, E-Verify Compliance
                                                 BILL HISTORY
                                                                               STAFF
                                                                             DIRECTOR/         ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE                       ACTION            DATE            POLICY CHIEF     PREPARED BY
Industries & Professional Activities      12 Y, 4 N       11/5/2025            Anstead          Bunnell
Subcommittee
Commerce Committee                                                             Hamon           Thompson




JUMP TO              SUMMARY                 ANALYSIS        RELEVANT INFORMATION           BILL HISTORY
                                                                                                            4
F   L      O   R    I   D   A    H   O   U   S   E      O   F      R   E   P    R   E   S   E   N   T   A   T   I   V   E   S




           HB 197                                                                                               2026




    1                                         A bill to be entitled
    2               An act relating to employment eligibility; amending s.
    3               448.095, F.S.; requiring that all private employers,
    4               rather than only those employing more than a specified
    5               number of employees, use the E-Verify system to verify
    6               a new employee's employment eligibility beginning on a
    7               specified date; providing an effective date.
    8
    9      Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
11                  Section 1.        Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
12         448.095, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
13                  448.095      Employment eligibility.—
14                  (2)     EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION.—
15                  (b)1.       A public agency shall use the E-Verify system to
16         verify a new employee's employment eligibility as required under
17         paragraph (a).
18                  2.      Beginning on July 1, 2026 2023, a private employer with
19         25 or more employees shall use the E-Verify system to verify a
20         new employee's employment eligibility as required under
21         paragraph (a).
22                  3.      Each employer required to use the E-Verify system under
23         this paragraph must certify on its first return each calendar
24         year to the tax service provider that it is in compliance with
25         this section when making contributions to or reimbursing the

                                                         Page 1 of 2

        CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
                                                                                                                hb197-00
F   L   O   R    I   D   A    H   O   U   S   E      O   F      R   E   P    R   E   S   E   N   T   A   T   I   V   E   S




        HB 197                                                                                               2026




26      state's unemployment compensation or reemployment assistance
27      system. An employer that voluntarily uses the E-Verify system
28      may also make such a certification on its first return each
29      calendar year in order to document such use.
30               Section 2.        This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.




                                                      Page 2 of 2

     CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
                                                                                                             hb197-00


File and source

File
2025-12-11_3285_commerce-committee_meeting-packets_fn-com-12-11-25.pdf
Size
2,189,093 bytes
SHA-256
90a7d6d635dc9cc30c8a4fd55c9cc4fbef4c8f9d852930b847d4e63c18ce4196
Our copy
2025-12-11_3285_commerce-committee_meeting-packets_fn-com-12-11-25.pdf
Original
No public link identified.
Back to top