The measure marked the latest 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.
The sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Jim Murphy, a south St. Louis County Republican, also fought against local government health orders designed to control the spread of the coronavirus.
Murphy said he believes the charging technology could change as EV technology advances, resulting in the state mandating businesses to install soon-to-be outmoded charging stations.
"This is a little cart before the horse ... because they are going to change," Murphy said. "A hydrogen car may be in the future. The battery technology is going to improve."
Under his plan, any city or county that requires the installation of charging stations in new construction projects must pay all of the costs.
It also prohibits local governments from mandating more than five charging stations on parking lots with more than 30 parking spaces.
The measure also prohibits cities from requiring any school or religious organization to install charging stations.
Rep. Dean Van Schoiack, an Andrew County Republican, said the local rules would give cities the power to tell businesses how to spend their money.
"We don't even know if this technology is the technology of the future," Van Schoiack said.
Some Democrats agreed. Rep. Chantelle Nickson-Clark, D-Florissant, said requiring small business owners to install charging stations would hurt them financially.
She said a rule requiring a company to install charging stations would stop people from opening a business.
But some Democrats fought back, arguing that Republicans are stepping on the toes of local governments.
"I don't view our role as a Legislature as being here to take power away from local municipalities," said Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City.
"You are moving the state backwards. You're taking away local control," said Rep. Michael Burton, a south St. Louis County Democrat. "When it comes to the environment, I want Missouri to be the leader, not the follower."
Burton failed in an attempt to amend the measure to require the state to pay for the installation of charging stations.
The legislation came in response to a 2021 decision by the St. Louis 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.
The legislation, which needs a final vote in the House, is similar to a proposal moving through the Senate. That measure is sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown, R-Washington.
The legislation is House Bill 184.
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