January 27, 2023 - The House Government Efficiency and Downsizing Committee on Wednesday heard HB 184, a bill filed by Rep. Jim Murphy that would force local governments that require businesses to install electric vehicle charging stations to pay for them.
Associated Industries of Missouri supports the bill.
"While we fully support electric vehicles and understand charging stations are needed for them to really catch on with consumers, we believe the free market will drive where these charging stations are installed without the heavy hand of government forcing business owners to pay for them," said Ray McCarty, president/CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri. "Businesses that believe the investment will produce a benefit for them can fund installation of the stations. But local government should not force businesses to make such investments unless they pay for them."
No action was taken on the bill.