(AP) – 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 the 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.