HB0247

Modifies municipal annexation procedures by requiring written approval from a majority of landowners, expanding notice requirements, specifying cost estimate provisions, and extending the appeal period.

• Requires that not less than a simple majority of all landowners owning parcels in the area to be annexed must approve the annexation in writing, unless the area is entirely within the city or town's existing corporate limits. Failure to respond to notice is treated as approval. (W.S. 15-1-402(a)(vii))
• Expands notice requirements to include all landowners and affected public utilities in the proposed annexation area, and extends first-class mail notice to persons owning property within 550 feet of the territory (previously 300 feet), whether inside or outside the city or town limits. (W.S. 15-1-402(a)(vi))
• Requires written notice to include a summary of the annexation report, notification of the need to respond within five days regarding approval or opposition, notice of the opportunity to request infrastructure cost estimates, and the time, date, and location of the public hearing. (W.S. 15-1-402(a)(vi)(A)-(D))
• Establishes a process for landowners and affected public utilities to request written estimates of infrastructure improvement costs, with requests to be made at least ten days prior to the public hearing and estimates provided before the hearing. (W.S. 15-1-402(e))
• Limits actual infrastructure improvement costs to no more than four percent above the estimated cost provided to landowners and affected public utilities. (W.S. 15-1-402(e))
• Adds a ground for courts to declare an annexing ordinance void if the governing body has failed to begin providing services or make public improvements to the annexed area within a reasonable time. (W.S. 15-1-409(b)(iv))
• Extends the time period for bringing proceedings to review annexation findings and determine the validity of annexation ordinances from 60 days to 120 days after the ordinance's effective date. (W.S. 15-1-409(c))
• Repeals W.S. 15-1-411, which previously limited incorporation of urban areas.