House Bill 19 would add explicit public hearing and intergovernmental-notice requirements to Montana’s tax increment financing process, proponents told the House Taxation Committee on Thursday.

Supporters said the bill aims to increase transparency when cities or redevelopment agencies create or extend urban renewal and TIF (tax increment financing) districts. "HB 19 provides for more public input and more citizen involvement, more transparency in the process," a representative of the Montana Chamber of Commerce told the committee.

The bill drew endorsements from economic development and local-government interests. Mark Taylor, representing the Hospitality and Development Association of Montana, said his group's members participate in TIF districts statewide and called HB19 a "logical process and public input addition to the statute." Dani Hess of the City of Bozeman said the city views TIF as an "essential tool for affordable housing and economic development" and that HB19 "solidifies that requirement of making decisions about TIF districts in public hearings." Ellen Buchanan, director of the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, said her agency "wholeheartedly support[s] this bill" and welcomed opportunities to increase public understanding of TIF and urban renewal districts.

Committee members asked whether the bill addresses differences in local practice. Representative Nicola Coker noted Great Falls had many steps in its local process and asked how common formal public hearings are across jurisdictions. Committee discussion indicated practices vary: some localities already hold multiple hearings and council votes, while others extend districts with minimal public notice to other taxing entities.

Supporters said HB19 would formalize an invitation to affected taxing jurisdictions such as counties and school districts so those entities can consider how an extension could affect revenue and services. No opponents or informational witnesses testified during the public hearing; the sponsor closed by urging a favorable vote.

Why it matters: supporters framed HB19 as a transparency measure that aims to give affected taxing jurisdictions and residents a clearer role when urban renewal districts are altered, particularly because TIF decisions can shift future tax revenues used by schools and counties.

Votes at committee: none recorded during the hearing; executive action on other bills occurred later in the meeting.