A last-minute amendment added days before the end of Missouri's legislative session could block electric-car company Tesla from selling to customers in Missouri. Tesla decried the legislative maneuvering as a "sneak attack" that would "hurt consumer freedom in Missouri" after learning about the amendment to House Bill 1124. The amendment would stop car sellers like Tesla from circumventing franchise dealers and selling directly to customers. The Missouri Senate passed the bill, including the amendment, without debate Wednesday. Update, 10:40 a.m. - Republican Majority Leader John Diehl tells the Associated Press he has no plans to move forward with the bill, especially since so many other lawmakers are concerned that it could limit the free market and have other unintended consequences. End of update. So what has Tesla so hot and bothered? House Bill 1124 says that dealership franchises are not allowed to sell directly to consumers, and the amendment expands the definition of "franchise" to include car manufacturers such as Tesla -- more http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/05/missouri_legislature_could_ban_1.php