Municipal annexation/deannexation; require election be held on the question of in the subject territory to be annexed/deannexed.

HB 649 requires residents in territory proposed for municipal annexation or deannexation to vote on the change through a binding election. The bill mandates an election within 60 days of a municipal ordinance, with notice published 21 days prior, and limits voting to residents of the affected area. It repeals a prior requirement for annexation petitions to be filed in chancery court and requires municipalities to cover all attorney fees and court costs if they appeal election results. The bill also ensures election results are treated as key evidence in court proceedings reviewing annexation or deannexation proposals.