The Missouri House also passed legislation barring state funds from going to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and a bill shielding companies from having to place specific cancer warnings on pesticides.

The legislation would move control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department from the mayor’s office to a board mainly appointed by the governor.

The legislation would take away control of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department from the mayor’s office to a board mainly appointed by the governor. It's a structure similar to the Civil War-era system that manages the Kansas City Police Department.

The bill, House Bill 495, sponsored by State Rep. Brad Christ (R-St. Louis County), grew into a broader public safety measure during the committee process leading up to Thursday’s final vote on the House floor.