Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study of the annexation laws of the various states to develop innovative annexation alternatives to provide municipalities with the means to create more effective and efficient governmental entities in this State.

Whereas, The current annexation laws in West Virginia are cumbersome and offer too few creative options to enable cities to enter into annexation agreements with adjacent urban areas; and
Whereas, There are many aspects of annexation which would benefit those adjacent urban areas such as improved police and fire protection, and other similar services; and
Whereas, Many such adjacent urban areas would more readily enter into annexation agreements if there were creative alternatives available which would allow those adjacent urban areas to retain some aspects of their self-identity, such as retaining the community's name and retaining limited self-government; and
Whereas,

therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to conduct a study of the annexation laws of the various states to develop innovative annexation alternatives to provide municipalities with the means to create more effective and efficient governmental entities in this State

, and to report their findings and recommendations to the regular session of the Legislature, 2001, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.