MS HB97

Requires board of supervisors to hold an election in territory proposed for annexation or removal within 60 days of municipal ordinance passage, with only affected area residents voting.

Election notice must be published weekly for 3 consecutive weeks with first publication at least 21 days before election date, with election results certified by county election commissioners.

Repeals the requirement that enlargement or contraction petitions be filed in chancery court; makes election results the final decision unless municipality appeals to chancery court.

Requires municipal authorities to pay all attorney's fees and court costs when appealing election results to chancery court.

Allows chancellor to consider election results as evidence when reviewing proposed annexation or contraction cases, with burden on municipal authorities to prove reasonableness and public necessity.