KANNAPOLIS — A bill in the state legislature allowing for the city to complete a satellite annexation at a new, south Rowan interstate exit passed the House Thursday with only one “no” vote.

The measure now must be approved by the state Senate, where a companion bill must pass its second and third reading for the annexation to be OK’d by the N.C. General Assembly.

Reps. Harry Warren and Julia Howard, Republicans whose districts cover parts of Rowan County, introduced the House bill, which passed by a count of 103-1. As expected, Warren and Howard voted for the bill. Rep. Larry Pittman, a Republican whose 83rd District includes parts of southern Rowan County, voted for the bill on its second reading, but was counted as “not voting” for the third and final reading.

Sen. Carl Ford, R-33, introduced the Senate bill.

Ford’s Senate bill is calendared for a second reading on Monday. The Senate could also opt to have a third and final reading on Monday, too.

Once passed, the annexation bill would enable the annexation of a large tract of land in the area of an Interstate 85 exit at a newly constructed Old Beatty Ford Road. The area proposed for annexation is in a rural area not contiguous to Kannapolis’ current borders. The city of Kannapolis signed an agreement in November with county government that includes the extension of water and sewer lines to the site for economic development.