NC S1236

Allows municipalities to annex low-income areas with reduced petition requirements: if 50% or more of households have incomes at or below 200% of federal poverty thresholds, only 75% of property owners (instead of 100%) must sign the petition.

Expands involuntary annexation standards to allow municipalities to annex completely surrounded areas that meet general standards and either contiguity or other requirements, reducing the previous requirement that every part of the area meet specific subsection standards.

Requires petitioners to submit evidence of low-income status through census data, affidavits, tax returns submitted to Department of Revenue, or other documentation verifying household incomes for a majority of households in the petitioning area.

Establishes priority consideration for Community Development Block Grants to projects in areas annexed by municipalities to provide water or sewer services to low-income residents.

Effective October 1, 2010, and applies to annexations initiated on or after that date under any part of Article 4A of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes.