By Associated Press - Tuesday, May 23, 2017

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Latest on the Missouri Legislature’s special session (all times local):

4:45 p.m.

A Missouri House committee has endorsed a bill authorizing discounted electric rates for steel and aluminum production facilities after removing a more controversial provision.

The revised bill is expected to be considered Wednesday by the full House after the chamber’s utilities committee voted Tuesday to advance it.

Lawmakers are meeting in a special session called by Gov. Eric Greitens to consider electric rate incentives that supporters say could lead to hundreds of jobs if a steel-works facility and aluminum smelter locate near the southeast Missouri town of New Madrid. The lower rates for those facilities could be offset with higher costs for other customers.

Committee members removed another section of the bill that would have let the Public Service Commission consider new reasons for rate increases for electric companies.

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4:20 p.m.

Supporters of Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens have gathered at the Capitol to rally for a bill that they say could bring hundreds of jobs to the southeast corner of the state.

Greitens spoke to about 200 people on the Capitol steps Tuesday in support of the proposal that would allow major metal manufacturers planning to move to New Madrid to negotiate lower electric rates.

The governor slammed lawmakers for not passing the measure during the regular legislative session that ended May 12 and criticized the senators that opposed it.

Rally attendees followed the governor into the Capitol after the event to tape signs on the doors of three Senators who opposed the measure.

Critics of the bill say it could require electricity consumers to pay higher rates and open the door for more companies to receive special rate exceptions.

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11:30 a.m.

Missouri House members are set to begin considering legislation as part of a special session called by Gov. Eric Greitens.

A House committee was to hear testimony Tuesday on bills allowing aluminum smelters and steel mills to negotiate lower electric rates than is allowed under current law. The proposals are meant to attract new manufacturing jobs to a poverty-stricken corner of southeast Missouri.

Some versions of legislation also would allow the state Public Service Commission to approve rates using expanded methods not outlined under current law.

Critics say that provision would give investor-owned utility companies broader discretion over rate changes for their customers.

Greitens plans to hold a rally later Tuesday at the Capitol to encourage lawmakers to pass the legislation.

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