JEFFERSON CITY 鈥 Missouri lawmakers could wipe away residency requirements for all city of St. 不良研究所导航网址 workers, expanding a current exemption for police and firefighters.
A plan is moving in the Missouri Senate to bar St. 不良研究所导航网址 from requiring city employees to live in the city.
The measure removing the requirement was added to a wide-ranging crime bill in the House, which now awaits a vote in a Senate committee.
The sponsor, Rep. Travis Wilson, R-St. Charles, said he worked with a lobbyist for the city of St. 不良研究所导航网址 on removing current residency requirements.
He said the city, led by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, supports the change.
鈥淰ery much so,鈥 he said Monday.
But contacted on Monday, a spokesman for Jones declined to comment.
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Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, in 2020 signed legislation removing the residency requirement for police and firefighters for three years.
The exemption is now set to expire in September 鈥 meaning a residency requirement could apply to those hired after Aug. 31.
Wilson鈥檚 legislation would extend the exemption in perpetuity.
The 2020 law also allows the city to require that first responders live within a one-hour response time. That provision would apply to all workers under Wilson鈥檚 legislation.
In 2020, then-Mayor Lyda Krewson removing the residency requirement, saying it would boost recruitment efforts.
Wilson echoed that sentiment on Monday.
鈥淓veryone is looking for good people and they鈥檙e wanting to make sure that they are able to hire as many of those good people as possible,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his enables that to happen.鈥
He said he has spoken to St. 不良研究所导航网址 lawmakers about the change.
Sen. Karla May, D-St. 不良研究所导航网址, has a similar effort that would extend the residency exemption for first responders to September 2028.
It would also expand the exemption so that it applies to all city employees.
The current effort follows a failed city vote in 2020 to repeal the residency requirement for civil service workers.
Though 50% of voters backed the amendment to the city charter, the measure needed 60% for approval.
The legislation is .