HB40, sponsored by Representative Susan Lawrence and passed in 2005, extends to 2010 a sunset provision relating to current statutory language which prohibits a municipality's ability to annex territory located within a township unless the entire area of the township is annexed; and enacts legislative intent language regarding the sunset of a township provision and regarding townships in first class counties.
It was the intent of the Legislature that:

1. Extending to 2010 the sunset date for Section 10-2-427 will give each county of the first class and municipalities within each county of the first class that are adjacent to township areas adequate time to assess and evaluate the desires of residents and property owners within townships with regard to annexation, incorporation, or remaining in the unincorporated area of the county, and to develop a plan to respond to and implement those desires;
2. Each county of the first class and each municipality that is in a county of the first class and is adjacent to a township area shall jointly, by July 1, 2008, provide appropriate public information and funding to conduct a survey of residents and property owners within each township in the county to determine their desires about whether all or portions of unincorporated areas within the township should:
   1. incorporate into a municipality;
   2. annex to an adjoining municipality;
   3. remain in the unincorporated area of the county and within the township area; or
   4. remain in the unincorporated area of the county but withdraw from the township area; and
3. Each county of the first class and municipalities within each county of the first class that are adjacent to township areas shall work together to develop and, to the extent feasible, implement a plan to carry into effect the results of the survey.