TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Thursday, lawmakers said OK to seven constitutional amendments aimed at property tax reform in Florida.
These proposals — all filed last month — went before the Houses’ Republican-majority Select Committee on Property Taxes on Thursday afternoon, with lawmakers voting along partisan lines.
All seven of the proposed amendments aim to slash property taxes for homeowners, whether by direct exemptions, phaseouts, or assessment limits.
[BELOW: Florida lawmakers debate eliminating property taxes]
However, a common feature among them is that they all prohibit local governments from cutting law enforcement budgets simply due to lower property tax revenue.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been a vocal proponent of reducing property taxes in the state, calling on lawmakers earlier this year to put a constitutional measure on the ballot in 2026.
Property taxes are local, not state. So we’d need to do a constitutional amendment (requires 60% of voters to approve) to eliminate them (which I would support) or even to reform/lower them…
We should put the boldest amendment on the ballot that has a chance of getting that… https://t.co/WpOQmjNl0X
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 13, 2025
However, the governor has been critical of the House’s multiple proposals, instead pushing for a single, comprehensive amendment to avoid confusion.
Regardless, property taxes are a local issue, used to fund services like law enforcement and fire departments. As such, any action by the state would require an amendment, which needs support from 60% of voters in the next election to take effect.
Meanwhile, all seven of the House proposals are now set to be considered by the State Affairs Committee. You can find the full list of these proposals below:
HJR 201 — Eliminating Property Taxes
House Joint Resolution 201 would establish a homestead exemption for all non-school property taxes.
In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.
HJR 203 — Phased-Out Property Taxes
House Joint Resolution 203 would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes by $100,000 per year for 10 years.
Afterward, the amendment would make all homestead properties exempt from non-school property taxes beginning on Jan. 1, 2037.
In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.
HJR 205 — Property Tax Exemptions (Seniors)
House Joint Resolution 205 would exempt residents ages 65 and over from paying non-school taxes on their homes.
In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.
HJR 207 — Property Tax Exemptions (25%)
House Joint Resolution 207 would apply a homestead exemption for non-school property taxes equal to 25% of the remaining assessed value after applying existing exemptions.
In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.
HJR 209 — Property Insurance Relief
House Joint Resolution 209 increases homestead exemptions for non-school property taxes by $100,000.
However, this only applies if the property is subject to a comprehensive multiperil insurance policy.
In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.
HJR 211 — Accrued Tax Benefits
House Joint Resolution 211 would allow the full value of the accrued benefit from special limitations on homestead property tax assessments to be transferred to a new homestead for non-school levies.
In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.
HJR 213 — Assessment Limits
House Joint Resolution 213 would limit homestead assessment increases for non-school property taxes to once every three years.
The proposal also limits assessment increases for non-homestead properties to 15% once every three years.
In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.
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