SPONSOR: Shields
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Corrections and Public Institutions by a vote of 12 to 0.
This bill permits a city with more than 71,000 but fewer than 79,000 inhabitants that owns and operates an airport located outside of and not contiguous with its boundaries to annex the airport.
Upon enactment, this will apply to the City of St. Joseph.
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this will spur economic growth in St. Joseph and allow businesses to occupy buildings that the airport has plans to vacate. A deal has been struck so the city will gain the buildings, and allowing this annexation prevents the need to exercise eminent domain powers against two local farmers situated between the city limits and the airport. The farmers don't want to be part of the city, but important development tools are available if these buildings are part of the city that won't be available otherwise.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Shields; Mike Shoemaker, City Of St. Joseph; and Richard Jackson.
OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.
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: