INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Cities and towns may have to meet new rules before they can annex properties.
 
The Herald Bulletin reports a legislative study committee has recommended several changes to Indiana's annexation code. They include eliminating involuntary annexations and dropping the percentage of homeowners required for a remonstrance.
 
The recommendations will be put into a bill when the session convenes in January. The bill's language will be hashed out in various committees, so more changes are possible.
 
Committee member Representative Bob Cherry says he also would like to see legislation address how municipalities attempting to annex the same area of land should proceed.
 
The Greenfield Republican's district has seen plenty of fighting among municipalities over available land. This past spring, land near Interstate 69 was eyed by Lapel, Pendleton and Ingalls.