Employment

Tennessee SB1922 requires all state and local government employers to check the work authorization status of new employees using the federal E-Verify program starting July 1, 2026. If local governments do not comply, they could lose state funding, including grants and shared taxes. The attorney general will be responsible for enforcing this requirement.

TN SB1922 is a senate bill in the Tennessee 114th General Assembly, sponsored by Richard Briggs (R), currently “Passed” since April 27, 2026.

We track 9,160 Tennessee bills this session, 137 of them sponsored by Richard Briggs.

Supporters of SB1922 argue that the bill enhances job security for legal workers and ensures that public funds are not used to pay employees who are not authorized to work in the U.S. They believe this measure will promote fairness in the job market and uphold the rule of law.

Critics of SB1922 contend that the bill could lead to unnecessary bureaucracy and discrimination against potential employees, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds. They argue that the enforcement measures could harm local governments financially and create a chilling effect on hiring practices.

The bill SB1922 requires state and local governmental employers to verify the work authorization status of prospective employees through the federal E-Verify program. The sponsor, Richard Briggs, has a diverse range of personal financial interests primarily in the healthcare, education, and government sectors. However, there are no direct overlaps between his personal financial interests and the industries affected by this bill. His role as a cardiothoracic surgeon and his affiliations with various organizations do not directly relate to employment verification processes or the enforcement mechanisms outlined in the bill.

Unlike federal analysis based on campaign donations, state analysis examines legislators' personal financial interests — their jobs, businesses, and investments.

Items marked "AI-researched" are generated from public sources but have not been independently verified. Verified data is sourced from official legislature websites and disclosure filings.