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Drozda: Senate committee passes bill aimed at outlawing hostile annexations

January 16, 2008

(STATEHOUSE) – Members of the Senate Committee on Local Government and Elections voted 6-4 today to approve legislation that will protect Hoosier property owners from aggressive municipalities by eliminating hostile annexations in Indiana. Indiana is currently only one of six states that still permit these types of involuntary annexations. 

“The time has come to change Indiana’s annexation law and put the rights of Hoosier property owners and taxpayers first as opposed to the agenda of governments,” said Sen. Jeff Drozda (R-Westfield), author of Senate Bill 114. “Hostile annexations are very costly for Hoosier property owners to fight and can divide communities across our state. SB 114 is aimed at making the annexation process in our state a more equitable one.”  Senate Bill 114 will do the following:  

  • Eliminate all hostile (involuntary) annexations; 
      
  • Reduce from 65 percent to 51 percent of property owners for remonstrance to stop an annexation; 
      
  • Require the Department of Local Government & Finance (DLGF) to review and approve all annexation fiscal plans submitted by municipalities;  
      
  • Prohibit municipalities fiscal plans from being amended or altered once an ordinance is passed;  
      
  • Allow a territory to incorporate without the obtaining the consent of a municipality that is within a four mile radius; 
      
  • Prohibit an annexation from being pursued if the State Board of Accounts has declared a municipal audit unfavorable; and 
      
  • Waivers or release of the right to remonstrate against annexation will no longer be attached to a property or be binding on the new owners and will expire within three years of commencement. 

SB 114 now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.   

 

 

 



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