House Bill 1377 Summary

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

• Repeals the requirement that municipalities file enlargement or contraction petitions in chancery court; election results become the final decision unless municipal authorities appeal.

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

• Allows the chancellor to consider election results as evidence when reviewing appeals and changes the standard from "shall" to "may" approve enlargements or contractions.

• Applies the same election requirement to municipal consolidations under Section 21-1-43, with the effective date of July 1, 2023.