That law passed last year with the support of House Speaker Rod Jetton, who does not want to repeal it. Jetton was successful on Wednesday in urging House colleagues to attach new restrictions on strip clubs to the bill repealing the village law.

Some senators filibustered the combined bill on Thursday. That led House and Senate negotiators to remove the provisions on sexually oriented businesses, leaving only the village law repeal.

Lawmakers have until Friday to pass bills.
---- (Thursday, 2:50 p.m.) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Senate on Thursday refused to accept the House bill that repeals the "village law" passed last year. The Senate asked the House to pass it without the amendment that would put restrictions on sexually oriented businesses. The House refused that request and both houses appointed five members to a conference committee to try to work out the differences.

Two similar bills to repeal the "village law," one from the Senate and one from the House, are now in the conference committee.
---- (Wed., 5/14) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri House members voted to repeal a controversial law that makes it easier for landowners to incorporate their property as a village. The House linked the measure to proposed new restrictions on sexually oriented businesses.

The legislation would repeal a law passed in 2007 that local elected government leaders lambasted because it allows property owners to escape planning and zoning rules by becoming their own villages.

The law is especially controversial in Stone County, where businessman Robert Plaster of Lebanon, his family and supporters are trying to incorporate a village next to Table Rock Lake east of Kimberling City. Stone County commissioners decided the proposed village is too close to Kimberling City to be established without Kimberling City's consent. They declined to schedule an election and now face a lawsuit over that decision.

Other counties' leaders also face proposals for villages, which can be created under the new law with as few as one property owner voting for it at an election. One of those counties is Franklin, just west of the St. Louis area.

Supporters of repealing the "village law" hoped to keep amendments off the bill so it would have a better chance of passing. House members defeated several proposed amendments but added a provision that would limit sexually oriented businesses to places away from homes, schools, churches and parks. The expanded bill also would ban nudity and touching in strip clubs.

The bill returns to the Senate, which approved the repeal of the "village law" without any amendments. If the two chambers can agree on the same version, it could be effective as soon as the governor signs it rather than Aug. 28, when most new Missouri laws take effect.