JEFFERSON CITY — from www.stltoday.com – Gov. Jay Nixon signed today a controversial porn bill that will regulate strip clubs and other adult businesses.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Matt Bartle, R-Independence, is very similar to one that passed in 2005 but was overturned by state courts. That bill was also the subject of an FBI investigation into pay-to-play accusations involving former Missouri Speaker of the House Rod Jetton.

Nixon signed the bill with no comment on the same day he signed a bill that would allow pregnant women to use deadly force to protect their unborn fetuses. Nixon didn’t issue any statements on that bill, either.

The porn bill restricts placement of adult businesses, including strip clubs and certain bookstores, keeping them away from churches, libraries, schools and public parks. It also limits the amount of nudity at strip clubs, bans alcohol sales at such establishments, and limits the hours of operation to before Midnight.

Adult business owners have said the bill will be devastating to their industry and cost Missouri jobs at a time when the state is trying to recover from an economic crisis.

Mike Ocello, president of VCG Holding Corp., which owns adult businesses, said he will likely be the plaintiff in a lawsuit seeking to declare the law unconstitutional.

Ocello is a school board member in Mehlville.

“I’m very disappointed by the governor’s decision,” Ocello said.