The House will hold a public hearing this week on a new approach to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) proposed by the TIF for Jobs Coalition.

HB 1189, sponsored by Reps. Davina Duerr (D–Bothell) and Matt Boehnke (R–Kennewick), is scheduled for a public hearing this week. The bill is the House companion bill to SB 5211. The bills provide a new method for cities, counties, and ports to use TIF to finance infrastructure improvement projects within their communities. Previous attempts to enact TIF programs in Washington were struck down due to constitutional constraints. However, this new approach to TIF allows development to pay for much-needed public infrastructure without impacting the state’s budget.

SB 5211 previously received a public hearing in the Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade Committee on January 21. Thank you to Dave Zabell, Pasco City Manager, as well as all the city officials who signed in supporting the bill.

The TIF for Jobs Coalition includes AWC and other associations and advocacy groups, such as the Washington Ports Association, the Washington Economic Development Association, and the Washington Chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Development Association. The Coalition is advocating for the adoption of a statewide TIF program to promote economic development and improve infrastructure in communities around the state.

For more information on TIF, please review our legislative fact sheet.

Dates to remember

HB 1189 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, January 26 at 1:30 pm.