What ballot summary did Missouri approve for petition 2026-127 imposing a 60-day deadline on business-license decisions?

Plain-English summary

Missouri Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway approved the legal content and form of the proposed ballot summary for Mark Johnson's initiative petition 2026-127, version 1 of an Article XI amendment.

The approved summary described a requirement that state and local licensing authorities approve or deny completed business-license applications within 60 days. An application would be deemed approved if the authority took no action, although the deadline could be extended by mutual agreement.

The summary also listed exemptions for licenses involving public health, safety, federal programs, gaming, liquor, marijuana, tobacco, or pending investigations. It said the amendment would supersede conflicting state or local laws.

The Attorney General's review under § 116.334, RSMo was limited to legal content and form and did not endorse the proposal.

What this means for you

Business owners and applicants

The approved wording described a proposed 60-day decision period and automatic approval after inaction, subject to the listed exceptions. The opinion itself did not create that rule.

State and local licensing officials

The summary included mutual extensions, multiple regulated-industry exceptions, and a clause superseding conflicting state or local laws.

Voters and ballot-measure researchers

Opinion 309-2025 records the exact five-part summary approved for petition 2026-127 without taking a position on its merits.

Common questions

Q: What deadline did the proposal set?
A: The approved summary said completed business-license applications would have to be approved or denied within 60 days.

Q: What happened if the licensing authority did nothing?
A: The summary said the application would be deemed approved.

Q: Could the deadline be extended?
A: Yes, by mutual agreement under the approved summary.

Q: Did the proposal cover every kind of license?
A: No. The summary listed exemptions involving public health, safety, federal programs, gaming, liquor, marijuana, tobacco, and pending investigations.

Background and statutory framework

The Secretary of State requested review on September 26, 2025. The proposed summary concerned Mark Johnson's petition 2026-127, version 1, to amend Article XI of the Missouri Constitution.

The Attorney General issued Opinion 309-2025 on October 6, 2025 and approved the summary's legal content and form under § 116.334, RSMo.

Citations and references

Statute: § 116.334, RSMo.

Source

• Landing page: https://ago.mo.gov/other-resources/ag-opinions/
• Original PDF: https://ago.mo.gov/wp-content/uploads/309-2025.pdf

Original opinion text

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MISSOURI
CATHERINE L. HANAWAY

October 6, 2025

OPINION LETTER NO. 309-2025

The Honorable Denny Hoskins, CPA
Missouri Secretary of State
James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center
600 West Main Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Dear Secretary Hoskins:

This opinion letter responds to your request dated September 26, 2025, for our review under § 116.334, RSMo, of a proposed summary statement prepared for the petition submitted by Mark Johnson (2026-127) regarding a proposed constitutional amendment to amend Article XI, version 1, of the Missouri Constitution. The proposed summary statement is as follows:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• Require state and local licensing authorities to approve or deny completed business license applications within 60 days;
• Deem applications approved if no action is taken;
• Allow extensions by mutual agreement;
• Exempt licenses involving public health, safety, federal programs, gaming, liquor, marijuana, tobacco, or pending investigations; and
• Supersede conflicting state or local laws?

Pursuant to § 116.334, RSMo, we approve the legal content and form of the proposed statement. Because our review of the statement is mandated by statute, no action that we take with respect to such review should be construed as an endorsement of the petition, nor as the expression of any view regarding the objectives of its proponents.

Very truly yours,

CATHERINE L. HANAWAY
Attorney General

OP-2025-329

Supreme Court Building, 207 W. High Street, P.O. Box 899, Jefferson City, MO 65102 | Phone: (573) 751-3321 | www.ago.mo.gov