Missouri lawmakers propose safeguards as areas deal with AI expansion

Missouri lawmakers are developing new protections intended to give communities greater control over the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, including massive data centers that can strain local power grids and water supplies.

The Missouri House Future Caucus announced that it plans to introduce legislation during the next General Assembly session.

While specific bills have not been released, lawmakers said the goal is to protect residents from higher utility costs, resource depletion and other disruptions tied to AI development.

The bipartisan group also released a detailed evaluation framework that cities and counties can begin using immediately when considering proposed AI facilities.

The framework would require developers to provide specific information about electricity and water consumption, taxpayer incentives, infrastructure demands and long-term employment.

It also calls for independent audits and enforceable agreements designed to prevent companies from shifting project costs onto existing utility customers or taxpayers.

The document instructs communities to examine whether a project could operate during droughts, extreme summer demand or power outages.

Developers could also be required to fund necessary infrastructure improvements and provide financial guarantees in case a project is delayed, downsized or abandoned.

Cities and counties would retain the authority to reject any proposal that fails to adequately protect the public interest.

The framework also recommends calculating a project’s true financial benefit after tax incentives, emergency-service costs and infrastructure expenses are deducted. Promised jobs and other community benefits would have to be measurable, written into contracts and backed by penalties for nonperformance.

The framework does not approve or prohibit AI development, and it is not currently binding law. Instead, it provides local leaders with a customizable process for demanding answers before committing public resources.