The cost of involuntary annexation is now taking center stage in the ongoing battle between foes of forced annexation and municipalities.

Beginning this morning, a proposed bill to reform involuntary annexation is under review by the House Appropriations Committee. Lawmakers voted last week to postpone voting on the legislation until the House Appropriations Committee had the opportunity to determine how much some of the changes will cost.

The motion to revert the bill to the Appropriations Committee passed 60-59, with Speaker Joe Hackney, who represents one and a half precincts in Moore County, breaking the tie.

The saga of the annexation reform bill is of particular interest in Moore County because of the situation that has developed between a group of Pinewild Country Club residents and the village of Pinehurst.

The Village Council has passed an ordinance to annex the gated community, west of the village limits. The ordinance was scheduled to take effect June 30, but a protracted legal battle in both state and federal courts has put the annexation on hold indefinitely.

Because the legislation would not be retroactive, it would not be applicable to the Pinewild case.