The proposed bill would amend current statutes regarding the annexation of territory by allowing cities or towns to expedite the annexation process when the property owner proposing the annexation owns 100 percent of the property to be annexed. Specifically, it would permit the city or town to waive the existing 30-day waiting period and the requirement for a public hearing. Additionally, the annexation would become final immediately upon the governing body adopting the annexation ordinance, rather than after a waiting period.

Furthermore, the bill modifies public hearing notice requirements by allowing electronic publication of notices if the newspaper has an online edition, and it permits a single notice to be posted on the site of the parcel if it is 160 acres or less. It also introduces a requirement for cities or towns to notify affected fire districts at least 30 days before the annexation is finalized. Other changes include reducing the frequency of newspaper publication from "at least once" to "once" and clarifying the definition of contiguous territory in relation to annexation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 9-471
House Engrossed Version: 9-471
Chaptered Version: 9-471