In a surprise move on the Senate floor today, Sen. Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, Senate Rules Chairman, moved Senate Bill 472, “Annexation Changes,” out of the State and Local Government Committee and into Senate Finance, getting some annexation legislation moving.
This looks to be the bill that incorporated the recommendations of the Annexation Study Committee. Daren has posted previously that the better annexation reform bill is Senate Bill 494, “Annexation/Meaningful Services and Oversight,” which appears stuck in the Senate State and Local Government Committee.
The preferred legislation would require a city to provide meaningful services (central water and sewer service, police protection, fire protection) along with meaningful oversight by the County Commission.
