TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – Property tax bills are expected to arrive in Florida mailboxes next week as state lawmakers consider multiple proposals that could significantly reduce or eliminate the taxes.
Twelve different proposed constitutional amendments are moving through the state capitol to either slash or eliminate property taxes in Florida.
Sen. Mack Bernard, D-West Palm Beach, filed the first property tax proposals in the Senate, introducing five constitutional amendments for lawmakers to consider putting before voters.
“The residents are asking for property tax relief,” Bernard said. “This is an issue to address the affordability crisis in the state. And so we look forward to having a robust discussion regarding providing relief to our residents.”
Bernard said voters should have a chance to decide on financial relief options.
“As property tax bills arrive for families around Florida, living in our state feels more expensive than ever. That’s why I’ve filed these property tax relief proposals, because voters should have a chance to decide on what the best financial relief is for themselves,” Bernard said.
House Republicans filed seven constitutional amendments. Leadership said the ultimate decision on property taxes belongs with Florida voters rather than elected officials.
“If we have faith in the voters to elect us, we should not be afraid to let them be a part of the conversation about the taxes they pay,” Speaker Daniel Perez said in a statement announcing the House bills. “It is our position that the House does not need to limit itself in presenting one single plan, but instead allow the people of Florida the ability to choose some, all, or none of the proposals on the 2026 ballot.”
All House proposals include language that prohibits affected government entities from reducing funding for law enforcement and exempting school taxes.
A recent James Madison Institute survey found 65 percent of people support the property tax relief effort, enough support for a constitutional amendment to pass.
One of Bernard’s proposals mirrors legislation already filed by House Republicans that would exempt people 65 and older from paying property taxes.
If passed, the constitutional amendments would appear on the ballot in November 2026. Amendments to the Florida Constitution must receive 60 percent of the votes to pass. SB 286 would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the legislature’s property tax plans during a news conference this week, calling the current proposals insufficient.
“They’re total half measures, which is not what people are asking for. They want to be bold,” DeSantis said.
The governor said he would prefer one proposal on the ballot next year rather than letting voters decide among multiple options.
“You’ve got to get the language right, you’ve got to get the number, you’ve got to get all that. That will happen. It doesn’t need to be produced today, and it won’t be produced today because we want to do it right,” DeSantis said.
The Florida Constitution establishes property taxes as a way to fund local government, prompting local officials to monitor the proposals closely.
Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey warned about potential impacts on city services.
“It will wipe out parks and recreation, which has a smaller budget than the police department budget. It will wipe out neighborhood affairs,” Dailey said.
Senate President Ben Albritton has not outlined how he plans to address property taxes in the upcoming legislative session. A Senate committee is expected to learn more about property taxes next week.
Proposals filed
HJR 201 would eliminate non-school homestead property taxes.
HJR 203 would phase out non-school homestead property taxes over 10 years. Each year, homeowners would receive an additional $100,000 exemption. After 10 years, all non-school homestead property taxes would be eliminated.
HJR 205 would exempt Florida residents over age 65 from paying non-school homestead property taxes.
HJR 207 would create a new homestead exemption for non-school property taxes equal to 25 percent of the assessed value of the house. The proposal would benefit current homeowners and first-time homebuyers.
HJR 209 would create a new property insurance relief homestead tax exemption. Homestead property owners who have property insurance would receive an additional $100,000 exemption on non-school property taxes.
HJR 211 would eliminate the cap on portability, allowing homeowners to transfer their entire accumulated Save Our Homes benefit to their new home, even if that home has a lesser value.
HJR 213 would limit the growth in assessed value of non-school homestead property taxes to 3 percent over three years for homestead property and 15 percent over three years for non-homestead property.
HB 215 would make various statutory changes, including requiring a two-thirds vote for any increase in the millage rate and allowing newly married couples to combine their accumulated Save Our Homes benefits.
SJR 270 would exempt the non-school portion of property tax for Florida seniors 65 years of age or older who have claimed a homestead exemption in the state for a minimum of five years and whose annual household income does not exceed $350,000.
SJR 274 would provide additional homestead property tax benefits for long-term homeowners. The property assessed value could not increase after 20 years of ownership and residency. After 30 years of ownership and residency, homeowners would receive an additional homestead exemption equal to 50 percent of the property’s assessed value.
SJR 278 would cap the assessed value increase of new homestead properties after a change in ownership at 150 percent of the property’s prior year assessed value, provided the assessed value was under $500,000.
SJR 282 would limit the assessed value of real property to 3 percent or the percentage change in the consumer price index, whichever is lower, if the property is owned and used for commercial purposes by a small business.
Senate Bill 286 would allow Florida residents to make changes, additions, or improvements to their homestead without increasing the assessed value of the property if the total just value of changes, additions, or improvements is less than $100,000.
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