Don't pass this.
My direct experience with local governments in Pierce County are that many
councilmembers run unopposed and start thinking they know a lot more about
what's better for the citizenry than the citizens themselves.
A city council could run up all kinds of debt such as new city halls and
pet projects for downtowns and then annex some outside area and have them
cover the bill.
The local governments could also make all kinds of land use decisions for property
outside the city without any input or repercussions from those affected and then
annex the property. It would then put the burden on those affected to stop
the annexation.
There is no incentive for the local governments to consider or respond to
the will of the people.
The bills (limited to counties with more than 1.5 million residents i.e.
King County) would allow an annexing city to annex without a petition or
vote of the residents if "at least 51% of the boundaries of the area
subject to annexation are continuous to the city." The only
precondition is that a public hearing be held.
The annexation is subject to a referendum within 45 days after passage,
but only the referendum petition contains 50% of those who voted in the
last election. Further, the the annexation will be deemed approved
"unless two-thirds of the votes cast on the proposition are in opposition
thereto." I suspect it will be impossible to meet either of these
requirements because neither takes account of land area or value.
A simple amendment could make this apply to any county.