Review and approval of the legal content and form of the proposed fair ballot language prepared for House Joint Resolution No. 116.

STAND OWIDED ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MISSOURI ERIC SCHMITT June 23, 2022 OPINION LETTER NO. 19-2022 The Honorable John R. Ashcroft Missouri Secretary of State James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center 600 West Main Street Jefferson City, MO 65101 Dear Secretary Ashcroft: This opinion letter responds to your request dated June 7, 2022, for our review under § 116.025, RSMo, of a proposed fair ballot language for House Joint Resolution No. 116. The proposed fair ballot language statement is as follows: A "yes" vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to create the Missouri Department of the National Guard as a new state agency, headed by an adjutant general appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. A "no" vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution regarding the National Guard. If passed, this measure will have no impact on taxes. Pursuant to § 116.025, RSMo, we approve the legal content and form of the proposed fair ballot language statement. Because our review of the fair ballot language statement is mandated by statute, no action we take with respect to such review should be construed as an endorsement of the initiative petition, nor as the expression of any view regarding the objectives of its proponents. Very truly yours, ERIC S. SCHMITT Supreme Court Buttorney General 207 W. High Street P.O. Box 899 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Phone: (573) 751-3321 Fax: (573) 751-0774 OP-2022-021 www.ago.mo.gov