MS HB395

Requires municipalities seeking to annex adjacent unincorporated territory to hold an election in the proposed annexation area if 20% of qualified electors petition for one within 60 days of the annexation ordinance adoption.

Annexation is approved only if a majority of electors voting in the election approve it; if rejected, the municipality cannot propose annexation of the same territory for 5 years.

Removes municipal annexations from chancery court proceedings, with elections becoming the primary approval mechanism instead of court ratification.

Keeps chancery court proceedings for municipal boundary contractions only; requires municipalities to file certified copies of annexation ordinances with the Secretary of State after they become effective.

Takes effect July 1, 2025; pending annexation cases in court revert to election process under new law.