JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 For the third time since the pandemic, the Missouri House endorsed legislation Wednesday that would ban local governments from enacting moratoriums on evictions.
The measure, sponsored by Rep. , R-Kansas City, would ban municipalities from approving bans on evicting renters if they are not specifically authorized by state law.
鈥淎ll we鈥檙e trying to do is protect property rights,鈥 Brown said Wednesday.
狐狸视频 and 狐狸视频 County imposed local eviction moratoriums in 2021 after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a national moratorium imposed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The measure has previously stalled in the Senate after winning House approval.
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Brown said the federal moratorium made sense at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but its continuation by local governments exacted unnecessary financial hardships on landlords and contributed to economic turmoil.
The federal moratorium was coupled with millions of dollars in rental aid, partially distributed directly to landlords.
Brown also contended the 鈥渇ree rent鈥 might have encouraged more tenants to fall behind in monthly lease payments, leading to more evictions that could have been avoided.
鈥淚f a government wants to suspend rent payments鈥 they should pony up and pay for it,鈥 said Rep. Jim Murphy, a south 狐狸视频 Republican.
Rep. Raychel Proudie, D-Ferguson, said it would be confusing for renters and landlords if each of the 87 municipalities in 狐狸视频 County had its own emergency eviction rules.
She said the power should be left in the hands of the governor.
鈥淵ou have to know that you can pay the mortgage,鈥 said Rep. Barbara Phifer, D-Kirkwood. 鈥淧eople have to have continuity when they make those kind of big investments.鈥
But, some Democrat representatives expressed concern that the proposal would infringe on control by locally elected city or county officials.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e now taking authority away from them,鈥 Bosley said.
The measure needs a final vote in the House before it moves to the Senate.
The legislation is Hous