Update on annexation moratorium bill

We have an update tonight on the statewide annexation moratorium bill we have been following.

It appears that bill is going nowhere.

Last week, the state house passed what would have been a nine month moratorium to stop cities from annexing any new land.

It has been stuck in the senate rules committee ever since.

WWAY called Senator Tony Rand, who chairs that committee. He said the bill will die because of a technicality.

To be heard in the short session, a bill must be the result of a joint study by the house and the senate, and this bill isn’t.

We asked him why the house would have bothered putting the bill together, debating it, and passing if it didn’t meet the criteria. He said it may have been an attempt to bring attention to the issue.

Senator Rand said now, they will launch a joint study on the annexation issue, but it will be next year at the earliest before any action is taken.