MS HB221

Requires separate elections in both the municipality and the territory proposed to be annexed when 20% of qualified electors in the proposed territory petition for one within 60 days of the annexation ordinance adoption.

Elections must be held within 60 days of petition certification with notice published weekly for three consecutive weeks, with annexation requiring majority approval in both the municipality and the proposed territory.

If annexation is rejected by majority vote in either election, the municipality cannot propose annexation of the same territory for five years.

Removes municipal annexation disputes from chancery court proceedings, except for boundary contractions which still require court approval.

Requires municipal governing bodies to file certified copies of annexation ordinances with the Secretary of State after the ordinance becomes effective, effective July 1, 2020.