Missouri Lawmakers Push for Data Center Regulations Amid Public Opposition

Sixteen Republican members of the Missouri House of Representatives have urged Governor Mike Kehoe to convene a special legislative session to address the rapid expansion of hyper-scale data centers and artificial intelligence. Representative Don Mayhew and other lawmakers argue that existing laws cannot manage the strain these facilities place on water supplies, electrical infrastructure, and local roads.

While Governor Kehoe supports the expansion as a driver of economic growth, Representative Tricia Byrnes is pushing for the People Before Powerful Interests Act. This proposed legislation seeks to ban non-disclosure agreements for data center projects and introduce clawback provisions if corporations fail to meet energy or water requirements. Byrnes has also called for independent review standards and countywide voter approval for projects receiving public incentives.

The legislative push follows multibillion-dollar project announcements from Amazon and Google in Montgomery County. A survey by the Missouri Rural Crisis Center indicated that 85% of respondents in that area oppose such developments. Although Representative Mayhew sought a special session, Byrnes indicated that no such session would occur; instead, the House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs will hold a public hearing on September 16 in Jefferson City.

Similar tensions over data center infrastructure have surfaced in other states. In Butler County, Ohio, the City of Trenton is attempting to annex land to bypass a county moratorium on new projects, while local governments in Bowling Green, Kentucky, have hosted informational events to educate residents on recently approved regulations.