KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri senator who sponsored legislation toughening regulations of sexually oriented businesses is appearing before a federal grand jury.

Republican Sen. Matt Bartle, of Lee’s Summit, appeared Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Kansas City. He confirmed he was present to testify before a grand jury.

Bartle sponsored a 2005 bill regulating the adult entertainment industry. The measure passed the Senate, but got bogged down when then-House Speaker Rod Jetton sent it to a committee whose chairman opposed to it.

Jetton’s action came just days after the adult entertainment industry contributed $35,000 to a political fundraising entity called the Committee for Honest Campaigns.

Jetton has previously denied any connection between the financial donation and his handling of the bill.