ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB 2125: annexation; notice; approval

Sponsor: Representative Smith, LD 29

Committee on Government

Overview

Modifies the annexation petition threshold to 60% or more of owners of real property.

History

Current statute outlines the requirements for extending and increasing the corporate limits of a city or town by annexation. In order to annex territory, the city or town must file in the office of the county recorder a blank petition that sets forth a description and accurate map of all the exterior boundaries of the territory contiguous to the city or town proposed to be annexed (A.R.S. § 9-471).

The governing body of the municipality must hold a public hearing to discuss the annexation proposal where notice must be sent at least six days before the hearing by publication in a newspaper of general circulation, posting in at least three conspicuous public places and by first class mail to the chairperson of the board of supervisors of the county in which the territory proposed to be annexed is located (A.R.S. § 9-471).

Within one year of the last day of the 30-day waiting period, a written petition signed by the owners of one-half or more in value of the real and personal property and more than one-half of the people owning real and personal property that would be subject to taxation by the municipality in the event of annexation may be circulated and filed in the office of the county recorder (A.R.S. § 9-471).

A similar bill was introduced in the 56th Legislature, 1st Regular Session and was vetoed by the Governor (SB 1268 annexation; notice; approval)

Provisions

1. Requires annexation notices to be sent by certified mail, the cost of which is borne by the governing body of the city or town. (Sec. 1)

2. Increases the annexation petition threshold from one-half of owners to 60% of owners. (Sec. 1)

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6. HB 2125

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