Bill > HB395

This bill modifies Mississippi's municipal annexation process by requiring a mandatory election in the territory proposed for annexation. Under the new provisions, if 20% of qualified electors in the proposed annexation area petition for an election within 60 days of the municipality's annexation ordinance, an election must be held. The election will determine whether the proposed annexation is approved, and must be paid for by the municipality seeking annexation. The election will be held within 60 days of petition certification, with notice published for three consecutive weeks in a local newspaper. The annexation can only be approved if a majority of voting electors in the proposed territory vote in favor. If the annexation is rejected, the municipality cannot propose annexation of the same territory for five years. The bill also removes previous requirements for chancery court proceedings in annexation cases, effectively shifting the primary decision-making power from the court to the local voters. Additionally, the bill requires municipalities to file copies of annexation ordinances with the Secretary of State after the process is complete. These changes aim to give residents more direct control over whether their area becomes part of a municipality, increasing local democratic participation in boundary decisions.

Government Affairs

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0395.xml