MS HB1379

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

Mandates the municipal governing authorities seeking annexation or removal pay all election costs, with the election held within 60 days of ordinance passage and results published in local newspapers for three consecutive weeks.

Repeals the requirement to file enlargement or contraction petitions in chancery court and makes election results the final decision unless the municipality appeals to chancery court.

Requires municipalities appealing election results to pay all attorney's fees and court costs, and allows the chancellor to consider election results as evidence when deciding whether to approve the proposed boundary change.

Applies the same election requirement to municipal consolidations and becomes effective July 1, 2023.