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Attorney General Marty Jackley

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Attorney General Explanation Released for Constitutional Amendment Requiring Physical Damage for a Violation of the Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Monday, March 19, 2018

CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215 

PIERRE, S.D. - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today an Attorney General Explanation for a proposed constitutional amendment has been filed with the Secretary of State. The explanation will appear on a petition that will be circulated by the sponsor of the amendment.  If the sponsor obtains a sufficient number of signatures, the amendment will be placed on the ballot for the November 2020 general election.

The amendment is entitled “An initiated amendment to the South Dakota Constitution requiring physical damage in order for conduct to be considered a violation of the law.”

Under South Dakota law, the Attorney General is responsible for preparing explanations for proposed initiated measures, referred laws, and South Dakota Constitutional Amendments. Specifically, the explanation includes a title, an objective, clear and simple summary of the purpose and effect of the proposed amendment and a description of the legal consequences. The Attorney General Explanation is not a statement either for or against the proposed amendment.

Attorney General’s Statement for initiated constitutional amendment (requiring physical damage)

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