Topeka ? Gov. Sam Brownback has signed a bill to require cities to get approval from counties before annexing land in some cases.

The measure signed Monday by Brownback takes effect July 1. County commissioners will have to approve any proposed annexations by cities when the property is not adjacent to a city’s existing territory.

Republican Rep. Michael Houser of Columbus said the new law will protect the property rights of county and township residents by giving them a voice in annexation decisions through county officials. The bill emerged in response to cases in which cities were viewed as overreaching in annexing land for a landfill or an airport.

An earlier version of the bill had stalled because of language that would have required counties to approve all proposed annexations.