HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 24
INTRODUCED BY D. WANZENRIED, RASER, WADDILL
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING A STUDY OF ANNEXATION TO DEVELOP A GUIDING POLICY ON ANNEXATION AND TO GENERATE RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THE STUDY'S FINDINGS.
WHEREAS, certain areas of Montana continue to experience significant growth, forcing communities to struggle with a growing population's effect on city services, the city infrastructure, and open space, as well as the tax implications that accompany growth outside city limits; and
WHEREAS, Montana law provides for five different methods for a municipality to annex property; and
WHEREAS, a review of the five different methods reveals no consistent guiding policy governing annexation; and
WHEREAS, annexation continues to be a controversial issue, as evidenced by the number of bills dealing with the subject that have been requested in the last several sessions; and
WHEREAS, new proposals for types of annexation, such as phased-in services and phased-in taxes, have recently been proposed; and
WHEREAS, a thorough review and analysis of annexation and the procedures used should be conducted in order to develop a guiding policy and consistent methods that will be effective for the varying types of communities scattered throughout Montana.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to:
(1) review the existing types of annexation found in Title 7, chapter 2, MCA;
(2) determine how often the different methods for annexation are used and whether some of the methods are used at all;
(3) identify emerging trends in annexation methods, growth patterns around the state, and how the two may relate;
(4) study how other western states that are experiencing growth are addressing annexation and whether those strategies may be applied to communities in Montana;
(5) gather any other information and conduct any other activity relevant to annexation that may be useful in developing a statewide guiding policy on annexation; and
(6) propose changes to existing law, if appropriate, that reflect the study's findings.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2002.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 58th Legislature.
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