Missouri House of Representatives

The governor also signed into law on Thursday harsher penalties for drunk driving and age verification requirements for pornography website access.

While lawmakers did not advance bills this year, more are speaking out, calling for hearings and special sessions on data centers.

The press conference announcing the hearing Tuesday came hours before a Montgomery County anti-data center group released a survey that showed widespread opposition to a planned center there.

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.

Bills to improve literacy and establish a new system for grading Missouri schools passed the House but failed to make their way through the Senate.

The legislature also failed to pass bills that would restrict transgender rights, regulate artificial intelligence and the opioid-like drug 7-OH and eliminate vehicle safety inspections.

Kehoe also said he doesn't plan on calling any special sessions including on drawing another new congressional map.

Proponents of the bill say the legislation is necessary to protect those who survive an attempted abortion, while opponents say it creates a hostile environment for medical workers.

The legislation echoes a regulation put in place by the attorney general's office last year.

The legislation includes many changes to state elections, including restoring voting rights to some parolees and allowing the use of campaign dollars for child care.