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JEFFERSON CITY — Representatives spoke in a news conference at the Missouri Capitol on Wednesday to outline their proposals for artificial intelligence infrastructure in the state.
Republican State Reps. Colin Wellenkamp, Mike Costlow, Scott Miller and George Hruza all spoke at the news conference.
Wellenkamp, R-St. Charles, and Costlow, R-Dardenne Prairie, proposed House Bill 3362 and House Bill 3364, respectively, last week. The bills are intended to create economic growth through AI databases while ensuring large industrial users of electricity and water will not negatively affect Missouri residents.
Both bills have been read twice, with the most recent reading on Monday. The two bills are identical but have different numbers and sponsors.
“We want AI infrastructure, we want a data-driven economy,” Wellenkamp said during the news conference. “But it has to be done right, and it has to be done in a way that we don’t compromise our resources and we don’t compromise other economies that are operating in our cities just to help one.”
The representatives stressed they believe the costs of artificial intelligence databases, like those in data centers, should not financially affect Missourians.
“We have to make sure that cost is not passed on in any situation to consumers,” Costlow said. “We want to protect our residents first before we start to look to reap the benefits of this kind of investment into our state.”
Wellenkamp said the bill would enforce “large water users” to require permits for their consumption. He said facilities using over 2 million gallons of fresh water per day or 80% of the available capacity of a locality qualify as large water users and would need a permit. Wellenkamp also said anyone exceeding those measures by “a good amount” would be required to expand the water system so local residents do not lose access to water.
In a separate interview, Democratic State Rep. Marty Joe Murray, D-St. Louis, said he agreed with some of the issues the bill takes on but thought it left much to be desired. He said House Bill 2239, which he sponsored, included more provisions surrounding data centers, which he believed to be a necessity.
“I think it’s a start in the right direction, but I think that we’re nowhere close to the amount of regulation that we need to address the concerns that consumers have around the rising cost of utility bills,” Murray said.
Murray also said he wanted to see both House Bill 3362 and House Bill 3364 referred to committee, as well as House Bill 2239.
None of the three bills have a hearing scheduled.
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Missouri lawmakers address bills that would regulate AI data centers
