S646 - Annexation Law Omnibus

• Establishes new service requirements for municipalities to exercise annexation powers: municipalities with 5,000+ population must provide police, fire, planning/zoning, and at least four additional services; smaller municipalities must provide planning/zoning, at least two of police/fire/solid waste, and at least two additional services.

• Requires municipalities to provide a 6-month advance notice through resolution of consideration before adopting a resolution of intent to annex, and mandates public informational meetings at least 45-55 days before public hearings on annexation.

• Changes annexation effective dates to June 30 only (instead of any date within 70-400 days), extends the timeline to 90-455 days from ordinance passage, and allows county boards to submit objections that automatically stay annexation if not resolved by the city.

• Grants property owners 30 days (instead of 5 days) after public hearings to request water and sewer line extensions, and allows up to 20-year installment plans for assessment payments related to annexed water/sewer systems.

• Requires the Local Government Commission to identify by January 1, 2015 all municipalities unable to meet new service requirements, with their charters terminating December 31, 2015 unless renewed by the General Assembly.