State Rep. Don Mayhew says he is leading an effort with several fellow Missouri House members to urge Gov. Mike Kehoe to call a special legislative session focused on the rapid expansion of large-scale data centers across the state.
Mayhew said lawmakers are concerned about the potential impact of the facilities on Missouri’s electrical grid, water resources and local transportation infrastructure. He also cited consumer data privacy as an issue that lawmakers should address.
Supporters of the proposal say immediate legislative action is needed to evaluate and manage the long-term effects of data center development before additional projects move forward.
Mayhew and other lawmakers argue that a special session would allow the General Assembly to consider regulations and policies aimed at balancing economic development with infrastructure capacity and public concerns.
