Missouri lawmakers this week, in a move that surprised some, approved a controversial bill that would make gold and silver legal tender in the state. The legislation, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly as an amendment to a sweeping finance-related bill, is headed to Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe's desk.

The Republican-led legislation would require state government entities to accept electronic versions of gold and silver, called "electronic specie currency," as forms of payment for taxes and public debts. While the measure would not require businesses to accept gold and silver as payment for private uses, such as groceries, it would allow them to do so.