Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that makes multiple changes to voluntary and involuntary annexation laws that increase the ability of residents to protest and prevent planned annexations.

Highlights:

-Requires municipalities to annex any distressed areas that coincide with at least one-eighth of their boundaries if the governing board receives a petition signed by 75% of the residents of distressed areas, and provides a format for such a petition (Sec. 1). -Defines distressed areas as areas in which more that 51% of residents have incomes that are 200% of the federal poverty level or less (Sec. 1). -Requires that municipalities provide at least two meaningful services to the areas they involuntarily annex, and produce a report demonstrating how they intend to ensure these services are provided (Secs. 2, 3). -Defines a "meaningful service" as police protection, fire protection, solid waste collection services, street maintenance, water service, or sewer service (Sec. 12). -Enables any voting citizen in potential areas of annexation who wishes to prevent the annexation to gather a referendum petition of at least 15% of area residents after a municipality has declared its intent to annex the area (Sec. 13). -Allows municipalities to abandon annexation plans after referendum petitions are certified by the state board of elections, or set the date of annexation to coincide with the next general municipal election so that all voters in the municipal and surrounding areas may vote on the annexation of that area (Sec. 13). Requires the Local Government Commission to oversee all plans for annexation, including fiscal feasibility (Sec. 13). -Allows municipalities to contract with surrounding areas to provide water and sewer services, provided that the area agrees to petition for annexation or not oppose future attempts at annexation by the municipality (Sec. 14).

Full Bill Text