March 1, 2010
The Honorable Peter A. Hammen
Health and Government Operations Committee
Room 241, House Office Building
Annapolis, MD 21401-1912
Dear Delegate Hammen:
HB721 would declare that it is the public policy of the State to restrict and deter the use of unauthorized alien workers in the performance of public contracts and grants in the State; specify criteria for mandatory registration in a federal E-Verify program; prohibit noncompliant persons or entities from performing specified contracts; impose requirements on subcontractors, as specified; restrict eligibility for prequalification to contractors in compliance with specified provisions of law; etc.
The Legislative Committee of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce opposes HB721. The Committee believes that the federal government and not the states should be responsible for establishing the requirements for verifying employment eligibility under our nation’s immigration laws. Although well-intentioned, a State mandate as proposed under this bill would be confusing and costly for Maryland employers and would undermine the goals of an effective national system.
In addition, E-Verify is far from foolproof and is not yet ready to meet the challenge of a massive increase in its participant level. Mandating that certain employers participate in the E-Verify program before it is fully functional would create a huge burden for Maryland employers attempting to verify their new hires. Maryland employers should not be forced to participate in a program that has been shown to be less than 100 percent effective in supplying accurate and timely information.
We therefore ask that your committee give this bill an unfavorable report.
Sincerely,
Richard Haddad
President
CC: Senator Haines