Bill > H0488

This bill amends Idaho's existing annexation law to revise provisions regarding how cities can annex property, primarily focusing on protecting landowner rights and ensuring a transparent, fair process. The bill introduces several key changes, including a new provision that landowners who are annexed without their voluntary consent cannot be required to use city water or wastewater services and must have any directly related annexation costs paid by the city. The legislation maintains the existing requirements for annexation, such as notifying landowners, publishing notices, holding public hearings, and obtaining consent from at least 60% of parcels representing 50% of the proposed annexation area. The bill also clarifies definitions of key terms like "consent," "contiguous," and "implied consent," and provides specific exceptions for annexing different types of land, including highways, fairgrounds, airports, recreational areas, and agricultural or forest lands. Importantly, the bill sets July 1, 2024, as the effective date for these new annexation rules, while ensuring that existing consents and annexations remain valid under previous laws. The legislation aims to balance municipal development needs with landowner rights by establishing a more detailed and protective framework for property annexation.

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/H0488/