JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 The Missouri House approved legislation Thursday that will block cities and counties from requiring developers to install electric vehicle charging stations in new construction projects.
The measure, which advanced to the Senate on a 114-29 vote, marked another attempt by the Republican-controlled Legislature to limit the ability of local governments to approve their own laws on issues ranging from cat declawing to tougher municipal gun regulations.
House Speaker Dean Plocher, R-Des Peres, said the measure is aimed at preventing local governments from overly burdening businesses with regulations.
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The sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Jim Murphy, a south 狐狸视频 County Republican, said the measure sends a message about limiting the role of government.
鈥淭his isn鈥檛 about electric cars and it isn鈥檛 even about electric charging stations,鈥 Murphy said.
The legislation came in response to a 2021 decision by the 狐狸视频 County Council requiring developers to add electric car charging stations to parking lots. The requirement, which was later relaxed by the council, had been criticized by developers and small-business owners as too onerous and costly.
Republicans on the council said they did not want to support a government requirement for charging stations, saying the market would respond as demand for electric vehicles increased.
Under the proposal, any city or county that requires the installation of charging stations in new construction projects must pay all of the costs and provide maintenance of the unit once installed.
The measure also prohibits cities and counties from requiring more than five electric vehicle charging stations per parking lot in parking lots of less than 30 parking spaces.
The measure now goes to the Senate, which has previously failed to advance earlier versions. In addition, the upper chamber has been mired in gridlock, raising questions about whether it has a chance to hit the governor鈥檚 desk this year.
鈥淚f they ever get to work it might get through,鈥 Murphy said.
The legislation is Hous