UT HB0294

Lowers the employee threshold for mandatory E-Verify compliance from 150 employees to 125 employees for private employers in Utah, effective July 1, 2027

Requires covered private employers to register with and use a federal status verification system to verify the legal working status of all new hires

Exempts employers of foreign nationals holding H-2A or H-2B visas (temporary agricultural and non-agricultural worker visas) petitioned by the employer

Cites existing criminal penalties under Utah's Fraud and Identity Fraud Act statutes for individuals who use fraudulent or another person's identification documentation to obtain employment

Takes effect May 6, 2026