Review and approval of the legal content and form of the proposed fair ballot language prepared for Senate Joint Resolutions No. 71

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MISSOURI ANDREW BAILEY Supreme Court Building 207 W. High Street P.O. Box 899 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Phone: (573) 751-3321 Fax: (573) 751-0774 www.ago.mo.gov June 27, 2024 OPINION LETTER NO. 17-2024 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 18, 2024, for our review under § 116.025, RSMo, of a proposed fair ballot language for Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution No. 71. The proposed fair ballot language statement is as follows: A "yes" vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to levy costs and fees to support salaries and benefits for current and former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys, and circuit attorneys to ensure all Missourians have access to the courts of justice. A "no" vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to levy costs and fees related to current or former sheriffs, prosecuting attorneys and circuit attorneys. 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, ANDREW BAILEY Attorney General OP-2024-019