Relating to municipal authority to annex certain areas by petition.

HB 3978 modifies Texas law to set new requirements for municipalities seeking to annex small areas (under 200 residents). It requires cities to obtain petitions signed by over 50% of registered voters in the area, or over 50% of landowners if voters don't own most land. The bill also limits each municipality to one annexation per calendar year under this process. This directly affects cities and residents in unincorporated areas near city borders seeking to join municipal services. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, unless passed with a two-thirds vote.