Legal Services, Bureau of

The Bureau is responsible for carrying out the Department of State's function to advise municipalities on law. The Bureau accomplishes this by advising municipalities on such issues as: planning and zoning laws; reapportionment of local legislative bodies; home rule powers; county and city charters; municipal cooperation agreements; and local government incorporations, dissolutions, mergers, and annexations. The Bureau also develops proposed State legislation and constitutional amendments relating to local governments, as well as preparing sample local laws, ordinances, and resolutions. The Bureau also advises the governor on proposed legislation relating to local government issues such as organization, finance, and state-local relations.