SPONSOR: West
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Government Efficiency by a vote of 12 to 4.
Current law provides that a city, town, or village may annex an unincorporated area that is contiguous and compact to its existing corporate limits.
This bill specifies that the term "contiguous and compact" includes a situation whereby at least 25% of the length of the perimeter of the unincorporated area is contiguous with the annexing city, town, or village.
The bill prohibits a city, town, or village from annexing an unincorporated area contiguous to another unincorporated area annexed by the same city, town, or village within 24 months.
This bill requires a city, town, or village that annexes an unincorporated area to provide all municipal services to the annexed area.
Current law provides an additional annexation procedure for cities in certain counties using a petition process rather than a vote of the residents of the annexed area. This bill repeals this annexation procedure.
This bill is similar to HB 2441 (2024).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this legislation will be helpful in the promotion of annexation for those that want to become part of a city, town or village and prevents a political subdivision from merely annexing more desirable areas and leaving gaps of land that is not annexed.
Testifying in person for the bill was Representative West.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that this bill limits the rights of property owners and might ignore the specific plans that cities must make in order to grow. This bill would artificially impede progress. Concerns were raised about providing services for newly annexed area and how those services would be expanded.
Testifying in person against the bill were Missouri Municipal League; Kris Turnbow, Mayor; Katie Gamble, Fire Service Alliance; Southern Jackson County Fire Protection District; and Arnie Dienoff. Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: