(TNS) — Missouri lawmakers are backing a bill to regulate artificial intelligence, despite pressure from President Donald Trump to put oversight of the evolving technology in the hands of the federal government.
Several proposals were introduced Monday that would impose new rules on AI, including child protection and chatbot rules, as members of the Missouri House and Senate begin filing legislation for the next legislative session.
That includes a proposal from Rep. Jeff Farnan (R-Stanbury) who wants to crack down on so-called “deepfakes,” which can edit images and sounds using machine learning algorithms.
“Somebody can take someone’s face and put it on someone else’s body and make it into a video or a photo, and if you don’t consent to that, I think it should be against the law,” Farnan said Tuesday.
He said he understands the president’s concerns about state-level AI regulation, but said his proposal addresses a pressing need.
“I understand where he’s coming from,” Farnan said. “I think there are a lot of useful things that AI can do. But when it comes to pornography, I don’t think President Trump wants deepfakes of pornography to come out.”
The push for legislation to govern AI comes after President Trump drafted an executive order aimed at preventing states from setting their own guidelines for the use of AI, saying it could stifle innovation and growth in the technology.
If Missouri lawmakers move forward in the next Congress, they will join at least four other states (Colorado, California, Utah, and Texas) that have passed laws establishing certain rules for AI across the private sector, according to the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
These proposed laws and regulations are in response to the rapid adoption of AI in job interviews, filling out mortgage applications, medical consultations, and more.
State supporters of the technology include Missouri Attorney General Kathleen Hannaway, who said it could be useful in drafting legal briefs. Others are cautious, including Gov. Mike Kehoe, who said the technology needs guardrails.
But Kehoe said Tuesday the state is rolling out several AI products to help Missourians navigate government programs.
“We hope that we can use this to reduce workload, increase efficiency and provide a better customer experience for taxpayers,” Kehoe said.
Alongside Mr. Farnan’s bill, Rep. Scott Cupps (R-Shell Knob) wants to crack down on artificially generated visual depictions of minors and make violations subject to state obscenity laws.
Rep. Scott Miller (R-St. Charles) introduced two AI-related measures, including requiring labels on AI-generated images. It also allows you to sue for damages if you are harmed by images, videos, or audio.
He is also sponsoring a proposal aimed at protecting children from using chatbots as companions or for entertainment purposes.
Miller’s plan would prohibit bots that are part of video games from discussing sensitive topics such as mental health, self-harm, and sexually explicit acts.
“It is unlawful for any person who owns or controls a website, application, software, or program to allow minors to access a companion chatbot for entertainment, relationship, or companionship purposes,” the law states.
Additionally, companies offering companion chatbot services must ensure that their users are not minors.
Miller also wants to prohibit AI systems from identifying as individuals, spouses, partners, or business owners. Under his bill, images created by AI cannot legally own or control property, including intellectual, financial, or digital assets.
Sen. Joe Nicola (R-Grain Valley) wants to ban deepfakes but also prevent AI from being used to manipulate elections.
Nicola, a church pastor, said he has multiple audio and video recordings of himself that could be turned into negative false images aimed at alienating voters from him.
“It’s dangerous. It can ruin people’s lives,” Nicola said, adding that the bill would require campaign ads that use AI to include a disclaimer to that effect.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, all 50 states have considered AI legislation this year.
President Trump’s proposed order aims to pressure states not to enact regulations by identifying burdensome state AI regulations and potentially withholding federal funding.
The president said a state-by-state regulatory scenario could give China a bigger foothold in the AI race.
“It’s very difficult to imagine us figuring out how to comply with 50 different regulations,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said at a Congressional hearing earlier this year.
Nicola said he understands President Trump’s cautious stance on state-level laws, but said regulation is needed immediately.
“I think some of these laws need to be implemented now, especially given the rapid expansion of AI,” Nicola said. “It’s a great tool, but like anything else, it can be misused to cause great harm to people.”
© 2025 After being dispatched to St. Louis. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
