MS SB2529

Requires the board of supervisors to hold an election in any territory proposed for municipal annexation or removal, with only residents of that territory eligible to vote.

Mandates the election be held within 60 days after passage of the annexation or removal ordinance, with notice published weekly for three consecutive weeks at least 21 days before the election.

Requires the municipal governing authority seeking annexation or removal to pay all costs of the election, and to pay all attorney's fees and court costs if appealing election results to chancery court.

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

Allows the chancellor to consider election results as evidence when ruling on municipal annexation appeals, and shifts the burden to municipal authorities to prove the proposed annexation or removal is reasonable and necessary.