RALEIGH, N.C.  – Reformers at the General Assembly finally get their chance to change North Carolina’s 50-year-old land annexation laws, which can force landowners into communities and taxes they didn’t want.

A House judiciary committee on Tuesday is expected to consider more than two dozen amendments as they shape a measure that can pass this summer.

The measure doesn’t allow affected residents to vote on whether to accept annexation, something sought by protest groups. Municipal officials say that would block expansion because residents would reject paying higher taxes that support services.

Supporters say involuntary annexation has allowed municipalities to avoid being drained of taxes as businesses move to stay outside their taxing reach.