Changes the law regarding the power of certain cities to annex areas from within two miles of the city's existing boundary to four miles

HB 1261 changes annexation rules for certain cities by expanding the distance they can annex land from two miles to four miles from their existing boundaries. It specifically applies to cities meeting defined population thresholds (e.g., 16,000-18,000 residents in certain counties) or those near correctional centers within two miles. The bill requires cities to follow a petition process, hold public hearings, and demonstrate that annexation is reasonable and services can be provided, while maintaining existing "contiguous and compact" land requirements. This policy directly affects qualifying cities seeking to incorporate adjacent unincorporated areas without creating isolated unincorporated zones.