Provide for a legal employment and government accountability law

This bill establishes the Legal Employment and Government Accountability Law, requiring employers in Montana to verify the legal work authorization status of all employees before they begin work using either the federal E-Verify system or completed federal Form I-9 documentation. The Department of Labor and Industry is authorized to enforce these requirements by conducting investigations and audits, with the power to inspect employer records and issue subpoenas. Penalties for violations escalate with each offense, ranging from fines of up to $500 for a first violation to license suspension and fines up to $2,500 per individual for third or subsequent violations, with all collected penalties deposited into a state enforcement fund. The law explicitly states that employers must still comply with all federal immigration laws while implementing these verification procedures.