Signed by Governor Mike Kehoe

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits the power of the courts to rewrite summary statements prepared by the General Assembly for ballot measures in Missouri.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the General Assembly to prepare the official summary statement and a fiscal note summary in any statewide ballot measure that it refers to voters in Missouri (Sec. 116.155). 

• Specifies that the official summary statement shall not be more than 100 words, excluding articles (Sec. 116.155). 

• Specifies that the title of the summary shall be a true and impartial statement of purpose and shall not use intentionally argumentative language (Sec. 116.155). 

• Authorizes citizens to challenge the summary statement submitted by the General Assembly, as long as (Sec. 116.190):

• It is challenged within 10 days of the official title being certified by the Secretary of State; and 

• It is challenged no later than the twenty-second Tuesday prior to the election at which the ballot measure will be submitted to the voters.

• Specifies that once a summary statement is challenged and the court finds it insufficient or unfair, the court may offer suggested revisions and order the Secretary of State to submit a first revised summary statement within 7 days (Sec. 116.190). 

• Specifies that if the court finds the first revised summary statement to be insufficient or unfair, the court may offer suggested revisions and order the Secretary of State to submit a second revised summary statement within 5 days (Sec. 116.190). 

• Specifies that if the court finds the second revised summary statement to be insufficient or unfair, the court may offer suggested revisions and order the Secretary of State to submit a third revised summary statement within 3 days (Sec. 116.190). 

• Authorizes the court to rewrite the summary statement only if it is not deemed sufficient and fair after three rounds of revision (Sec. 116.190). 

• Requires that any challenge to a statewide ballot measure shall be expedited by the court and the court may shorten any timeframe under the provisions of this bill to achieve this purpose (Sec. 116.190). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits the power of the courts to rewrite summary statements prepared by the General Assembly for ballot measures in Missouri.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the General Assembly to prepare the official summary statement and a fiscal note summary in any statewide ballot measure that it refers to voters in Missouri (Sec. 116.155). 

• Specifies that the official summary statement shall not be more than 100 words, excluding articles (Sec. 116.155). 

• Specifies that the title of the summary shall be a true and impartial statement of purpose and shall not use intentionally argumentative language (Sec. 116.155). 

• Authorizes citizens to challenge the summary statement submitted by the General Assembly, as long as (Sec. 116.190):

• It is challenged within 10 days of the official title being certified by the Secretary of State; and 

• It is challenged no later than the twenty-second Tuesday prior to the election at which the ballot measure will be submitted to the voters.

• Specifies that once a summary statement is challenged and the court finds it insufficient or unfair, the court may offer suggested revisions and order the Secretary of State to submit a first revised summary statement within 7 days (Sec. 116.190). 

• Specifies that if the court finds the first revised summary statement to be insufficient or unfair, the court may offer suggested revisions and order the Secretary of State to submit a second revised summary statement within 5 days (Sec. 116.190). 

• Specifies that if the court finds the second revised summary statement to be insufficient or unfair, the court may offer suggested revisions and order the Secretary of State to submit a third revised summary statement within 3 days (Sec. 116.190). 

• Authorizes the court to rewrite the summary statement only if it is not deemed sufficient and fair after three rounds of revision (Sec. 116.190). 

• Requires that any challenge to a statewide ballot measure shall be expedited by the court and the court may shorten any timeframe under the provisions of this bill to achieve this purpose (Sec. 116.190). 

Full Bill Text