Abbott signs bill limiting city annexation power,
‘I’m proud to sign legislation ending forced annexation practices, which is nothing more than a form of taxation without representation.’ Statement from Gov. Greg Abbott.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday signed into law Senate Bill 6, which requires cities in large counties to receive voter approval before annexing new areas, one of his top 20 priorities for the special legislative session.
“I’m proud to sign legislation ending forced annexation practices, which is nothing more than a form of taxation without representation,” Abbott said in a statement Tuesday.
Abbott’s signature was welcomed by bill proponents, including many in communities just outside Austin, who had been anxiously awaiting a resolution since an earlier version of the bill died in the Senate during the regular session.
“When this bill was filibustered on the last day of the regular session, I said it wasn’t over yet and the will of the people will ultimately be victorious,” Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement Sunday.
“It was a long time coming,” said Shelley Palmer, president of Wells Branch MUD. The law “is something that says we get to choose, whenever (annexation) comes. And our assumption is that it will come sooner or later ... They’re (city officials) kind of forced to be more trying to entice us as opposed to taking us over.”
Officials from Austin, San Antonio and other cities had pushed back against the bill, saying it would limit cities from expanding. Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, said the bill was “part of a broader attack on cities.”
“We need an annexation process that assures those being annexed have an appropriate voice, provides tax equity for all taxpayers and allows cities to mature and grow in a productive way,” Watson said. “But this bill fails to strike that balance and effectively shuts down annexation.”
Virginia Collier, the Austin city planner in charge of annexation efforts, said Friday that the City Council may want to consider changing its approach to annexation because of the bill.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler called the bill “unnecessary and redundant” in a statement.“There is ample evidence that how Austin currently handles annexation works, and it allows us to meet the growing need for city services in the rapidly urbanizing areas right outside Austin,” Adler said.
The city won a small victory when a provision was removed from the bill that would have required an annexation vote from areas outside Austin, including River Place and Shady Hollow, despite existing annexation agreements.
“It’s unfortunate (the bill) was passed out of the House that way, but it’s great to see that the bill itself goes through,” Tim Mattox, River Place Homeowners Association board member, said on Friday. “I think Texans overall are going to be well served by it.”