Missouri Advisory Opinions April 03, 2023: 202-2023

Advisory Opinion Text

The Honorable Scott Fitzpatrick

Missouri State Auditor

State Capitol, Room 229

Jefferson City, MO 65101

OPINION LETTER

Dear Auditor Fitzpatrick:

This office received your letter of March 23, 2023,, submitting a fiscal note and fiscal note summary prepared under § 116.175, RSMo, for an initiative petition submitted by Winston Apple, 2024-076. The fiscal note summary that you submitted is as follows:

State costs could increase if this petition results in more special elections, by an estimated $10 million each special election. The state estimates additional costs of an unknown amount for its responsibilities related to a system of Online Accounts for Politically Active Citizens. Local entities estimate no costs or savings from this proposal.

Under § 116.175.4, RSMo, we approve the legal content and form of the fiscal note summary. Because our review of the fiscal note summary is mandated by statute, no action that we take with respect to such review should be construed as an endorsement of the initiative petition or as the expression of any view regarding the objectives of its proponents. Furthermore, our review under § 116.175.4 does not examine the fairness or sufficiency of the estimated fiscal impact.

Very truly yours,

ANDREW BAILEY, Attorney General