MS HB974

Requires the board of supervisors to hold an election within 60 days after a municipality passes an annexation or removal ordinance, with only residents in the affected territory allowed to vote.

Mandates election notice be published in a newspaper with general circulation in the territory once weekly for three consecutive weeks, with first publication at least 21 days before the election date.

Makes election results the final decision on annexation or removal unless municipal authorities appeal to chancery court, in which case they must pay all attorney's fees and court costs.

Allows the chancellor to consider election results as evidence when deciding whether to approve or deny the proposed enlargement or contraction based on public convenience and necessity.

Repeals the requirement for municipalities to file enlargement or contraction petitions in chancery court and requires elections for municipal consolidations to follow the same procedures as annexations.