House bill 19, which would require additional public hearings and formal notice to affected taxing jurisdictions before extending tax increment financing (TIF) districts, drew unanimous support from proponents at a House Taxation Committee hearing. Proponents told the committee the change would increase transparency and give other taxing entities a clearer opportunity to weigh potential impacts.

Supporters included local governments and economic-development groups. Danni Hess, representing the city of Bozeman, said HB19 “solidifies that requirement of making decisions about TIF districts in public hearings, offering that opportunity for public participation and collaboration with those taxing jurisdiction partners.” Ellen Buchanan, director of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, said the agency “wholeheartedly support[s] this bill” and welcomed “any opportunity to increase public participation and the opportunity to increase public understanding of how tax increment financing works.”

Mark Taylor of the Hospitality and Development Association of Montana told the committee the association represents large private investment in TIF districts and described HB19 as a logical public-input improvement to the statute. A representative of the Montana Chamber of Commerce said preserving and improving the state’s TIF statutes is a session priority and called HB19 an improvement because it provides “more public input and more citizen involvement, more transparency in the process.” John Iverson, representing the Independent Insurance Agents of Montana, also registered support for the bill.

Representative Nicola Coker asked for background on whether localities already hold public hearings on district extensions. The sponsor answered that in some communities extensions proceed without a separate public hearing inviting other taxing jurisdictions; HB19 is intended to ensure those jurisdictions and the public have a formal opportunity to participate because the extension can affect their revenues.

The hearing record shows no opponents and no informational witnesses registered against HB19 during the session. The committee closed the HB19 hearing and moved on to other bills on the docket.