HB 1561 Summary

• Requires municipalities to conduct outreach programs with at least 6 public meetings at least 6 months before introducing annexation ordinances adopted after June 30, 2015, providing information on proposed boundaries, service plans, fiscal impact, and tax exemption options.

• Prohibits amendments to fiscal plans after a remonstrance petition is filed unless consented to by remonstrators, and allows prevailing remonstrators to recover expenses including appeal costs and reasonable attorney's fees up to $40,000.

• Changes remonstrance thresholds from 65% of landowners or 75% of assessed value to 51% of landowners or 60% of assessed value for annexations adopted after June 30, 2015.

• Allows municipalities to annex noncontiguous territory occupied by commercial or industrial economic development projects within 1 mile of municipal boundaries if developed by the municipality and completed within 3 years, otherwise territory reverts to the county.

• Clarifies that agricultural property can be exempt from municipal property taxes based on use (not just zoning classification) and establishes that counties provide police, fire, water, sewer, and street maintenance services in unincorporated areas unless municipalities enter interlocal agreements.