CHARLESTON, W.Va. –
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The bill inspired by the city of Morgantown’s attempt to annex nearly four square-miles through a minor boundary adjustment has cleared another legislative committee.
The House Political Subdivisions Committee signed off on Senate Bill 209 Thursday and sent it on to the House Government Organization Committee. The bill was approved by the full Senate earlier this month.
The original bill aimed to completely eliminate minor boundary adjustment as an option for municipal annexation all together. However, the bill modified in the senate to require consent from 100 percent of freeholders in a territory targeted for annexation through minor boundary adjustment.
In May of 2019, Morgantown city council members proposed annexing 3.8 square miles, about 12,000 people and more than 360 businesses. The city backed off that proposal after receiving significant backlash against the plan.