The bill amends existing Kansas statutes K.S.A. 12-520 and K.S.A. 12-538 to impose new restrictions on unilateral annexations by cities and expand the legal grounds for landowners to challenge such annexations. Key changes include the removal of the provision allowing cities to annex unplatted agricultural land of 21 acres or more without the owner's consent, now requiring written consent for any unplatted agricultural land or any tract less than 20 acres. Additionally, the bill prohibits cities from annexing narrow corridors of land solely to gain access to noncontiguous tracts, emphasizing that such corridors must have tangible value beyond facilitating future annexations.

Furthermore, the bill enhances the ability of landowners and nearby cities to contest annexations in district court, allowing them to challenge the authority of the city, the reasonableness of the annexation, and the adequacy of the service plan. The court is instructed to consider the impact of the annexation on the future growth of the city that is challenging it. The existing sections of K.S.A. 12-520 and K.S.A. 12-538 are repealed, and the new provisions will take effect upon publication in the statute book.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 12-520, 12-538