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Read. Follow. Verify.Missouri House Bill 2511 Modifies Employer Verification Rules and Attorney General Enforcement Authority Regarding Unauthorized Aliens
Last action · March 3, 2026: HCS Reported Do Pass (H)Sponsors: Brad Christ and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
Missouri HB 2511 repeals and modifies state laws governing the employment of unauthorized aliens, empowering the attorney general to investigate violations, seek s, and demand the suspension of business licenses. The bill establishes that the state must prove by a that an employer knowingly employed an unauthorized worker and allows the attorney general to seek monetary damages equal to twice the wages paid to unauthorized workers.
Changes how businesses operating in Missouri verify worker eligibility and face state-level investigations, s, and civil monetary damages or license suspensions brought by the attorney general.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Business entities and employers in Missouri
Employers face potential attorney general investigations, injunctions, monetary damages equal to twice the wages paid to unauthorized workers, and license suspensions for hiring unauthorized aliens.
General contractors and subcontractors
Contractors can be held liable for subcontractor violations of unauthorized alien employment rules if they knew or should have known of the violation.
Key Facts
- No business entity or employer shall knowingly employ, hire, or continue to employ an unauthorized alien to perform work within Missouri.
- The attorney general may investigate alleged or suspected employment violations and has powers to direct municipal or county bodies to suspend business licenses, permits, or exemptions.
- The state has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that an employer knowingly employed an unauthorized alien.
- The attorney general may seek an injunction and monetary damages equal to twice the amount of wages paid by the employer to any unauthorized alien worker during the period of unlawful employment.
Show all 6 facts
- The attorney general may bring an action for injunctive and monetary relief in the circuit court of any county where the violation occurs or in Cole County.
- General contractors and subcontractors are liable under sections 285.525 to 285.555 when they contract with a direct subcontractor who violates employment rules and the contractor knows or should have known of the violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What standard of proof does the state need to show an employer hired an unauthorized alien?
What penalties can the attorney general seek against an employer found to have hired an unauthorized alien?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
10 actions- Mar 3, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Reported Do Pass (H)
- Mar 2, 2026HouseCommitteeHCS Voted Do Pass (H)
- Mar 2, 2026HouseExecutive Session Completed (H)
- Feb 25, 2026HouseAction Postponed (H)
- Feb 25, 2026HouseExecutive Session Continued
- Jan 27, 2026HousePublic Hearing Completed (H)
Show 4 earlier actions
- Jan 8, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred: Commerce(H)
- Jan 8, 2026HouseFloorRead Second Time (H)
- Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroducedRead First Time (H)
- Dec 18, 2025HouseIntroducedPrefiled (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
house.mo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy80Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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