The Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville.State senators on Thursday overwhelmingly approved the most far-reaching change ever in Tennessee’s nearly 60-year-old annexation laws, teeing up the bill for final passage next week on the House floor.
The Senate voted 27-1 for the bill by Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, that eliminates cities’ power to acquire new territory by ordinances, which critics deride as “forced annexation.”
The House version, sponsored by Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, is set for consideration Wednesday.
If the bill passes the House and is signed by Gov. Bill Haslam, cities could annex properties only with the owners’ consent or by a public referendum vote.
That means city leaders will have to sell property owners and residents on the benefits of joining a municipality.