Missouri lawmakers are considering whether to permanently block a proposal that could allow more ethanol to be blended into gasoline.
The Senate rules committee held a hearing Thursday on a resolution that would prevent stations from selling fuel containing 15 percent ethanol.
The state Agriculture Department proposed the rule last year allowing E15 gas to be sold. But a legislative panel delayed the proposal in October, citing a 2006 state law that requires a 10 percent ethanol blend. The department says it has legal authority to allow higher concentrations of ethanol.
The House and Senate would likely need to pass a resolution by early March to permanently halt the department's proposal. That would require Gov. Jay Nixon's approval, but lawmakers have the ability to override a veto.
