On Tuesday, Governor Mike Parson signed a bill into law limiting the power of local governments. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

House Bill 271 passed by legislators last month is a reaction from Republican lawmakers to reign in metro, high populated areas and heavily Democratic parts of Missouri over coronavirus closures and local mask requirements. The bill limits the scope of local health departments to force businesses to closure in Missouri to only 30 days over a 6 month time span. The closures would then have to be extended every 30 days by a majority vote of the city or city council.

HB 271 also prohibits vaccine passports in the state. Saying in a post on Facebook, quote, “while we encourage all Missourians to get vaccinated against COVID-19, it is not the government’s job to force them.” unquote. Previously, Parson said that he wouldn’t supersede stricter local rules imposed in cities such as Kansas City and St. Louis. Although, with the signing of HD 271 it’s now clear that he would prefer to overturn those local orders.