EO 26-02, which Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Tuesday, comes on the heels of Missouri lawmakers working to advance AI-regulating legislation in spite of a federal EO that aims to limit states’ authority to do so.
“The order activates specific mandates across our government to ensure every sector is aligned,” Tim Marczewski, head of AI in the state Office of Administration (OA), said in a LinkedIn post. Marczewski joined the state in 2025.
First, the order calls on OA Commissioner Kenneth Zellers to develop a strategic framework for AI integration within Missouri government. The commissioner is directed to prioritize the following things in the framework: expediting work, improving services, data privacy and security, human decision-making, transparency and accountability, and data quality management.
The framework, per the order, should identify AI applications that can improve service delivery and government efficiency while ensuring human judgment is part of the decision-making process. Robust data privacy policies should be established, as well as guidelines to ensure AI tools are using data that is continuously monitored for accuracy and objectivity. The framework should also create guidelines for transparent AI use; if residents have concerns pertaining to automation, there should be channels through which to raise them.
Next, the order calls on Michelle Hataway, director of the Department of Economic Development (DED), to review the state’s business environment for AI companies and to recommend policies that are both pro-business and pro-consumer. This review process should include an assessment of existing incentives, regulatory frameworks and workforce development programs. Policy recommendations should help establish a “minimally burdensome policy environment” to stimulate AI investment “while protecting consumer rights,” the order says.
To address training, the EO calls on the commissioner of the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Bennett Boggs, to work with DED to evaluate current AI education and training programs, develop best practices, and recommend new AI-focused degree programs, certifications, and apprenticeships. These should include high-demand skills like data science, security and AI system maintenance.
The order directs Department of Natural Resources Director Kurt U. Schaefer to work with the Public Service Commission to investigate energy regulations and infrastructure planning to address growing data center demand and the power challenges associated with them.
Specifically, the EO calls on Schaefer to review state regulations and utility practices to ensure data centers and other large power users do not increase energy rates for Missouri residents and small businesses. Data center build projects in the state have faced opposition, and local-level data center rules have already been established. The EO compels Schaefer to review current energy needs, project future needs, and develop “reliable, economical, and sustainable” solutions. Finally, he is directed to coordinate across state government to understand how data center demand impacts Missouri’s natural resources.
Reports, policy recommendations, and findings from this order are due to Kehoe by Nov. 30.
On a separate but related note, Missouri EO 26-03, which the governor also signed Tuesday, formalizes the Missouri Government Responsibility, Efficiency, Accountability, and Transformation (Missouri GREAT) initiative. This EO encourages state departments to explore AI applications that can automate routine tasks, but only if “any such initiative adheres strictly to the safety and security standards established in Executive Order 26-02.”
“This initiative is the perfect partner to our AI strategy,” Marczewski said in his LinkedIn post, noting that it validates ongoing modernization and efficiency-driven efforts.
