HB1542 Summary

• Amends Arkansas Code § 14-40-2002 to clarify procedures for landowners seeking to detach property from one municipality and annex into an adjoining municipality that provides additional services.

• Requires original municipality to receive written commitment to provide requested services within 30 days of a landowner's filing; if commitment is not made, landowner may proceed with annexation request.

• Establishes 180-day deadline for both the original and annexing municipality to take substantial steps toward providing requested services, with continuing commitment required every 30 days thereafter.

• Makes annexation void and returns property to original jurisdiction if requested services are not provided and in place within 12 months after the annexing jurisdiction accepts the property.

• Amends § 14-40-2004 to require court petitions for hearings be filed within 20 days after adoption or rejection of an annexation ordinance, resolution, or motion, and tolls service-provision timelines during pending court proceedings.