David Litchliter, executive director of the Department of Information Technology Services, said his agency has “convenience” contracts for commodities, such as computers, with Howard Industries. That means a school district, for instance, could choose to negotiate with the company because it’s been cleared by the state, he said.

“If Howard used the E-Verify system to check those employees, then they’re not liable if they checked out,” said state Sen. Lee Yancy, R-Brandon, one of the authors of the new law.