1. (a) The commission, at any time and from time to time, may without the necessity of calling or holding any special election (whether under and pursuant to this part or other applicable law or laws, if any) and otherwise on such terms and conditions as the commission may in its discretion determine, alter the boundaries of any district by consolidating with it any territory in the county that is contiguous to the boundaries of such district (whether or not such territory then consists of all or part of another district or districts or is then within the boundaries of any other district) and that may otherwise be included in such district hereunder, notwithstanding that as a result thereof the commission, pursuant to Section 45-41-141.03, may be authorized to levy a financial charge in the territory proposed to be so consolidated

   1. (1) At a rate higher than the maximum rate at which a financial charge (if any) was authorized to be levied in such territory immediately preceding such proposed consolidation, or
   2. (2) For a period of time longer than the period of time for which such financial charge (if any) was so authorized to be levied.
2. (b) No such consolidation shall operate to relieve the county or any volunteer fire department operating in such district of liability for any obligations incurred or made prior to such consolidation. Furthermore, the commission, at any time and from time to time and without the necessity of calling or holding any special election (whether under and pursuant to this part or other applicable law or laws, if any), and otherwise on such terms and conditions as the commission may in its discretion determine, may exclude from any district any territory then within its boundaries.

(Act 89-390, p. 747, §5.)