\u201cIt 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,\u201d Perez wrote.<\/p>\n
The dispute is an indication the clash between DeSantis and Perez earlier this year over tax cuts, which led to an extended regular session, will linger into next year\u2019s legislative session.<\/p>\n
The next 60-day session is scheduled to begin Jan. 13. The proposals from the House offer a potpourri of property tax cuts, but they all fall short of DeSantis\u2019 stated goal of eliminating property taxes completely for homesteaded properties.<\/p>\n
All of the proposals have an exemption for the portion of property taxes that fund K-12 schools.<\/p>\n
DeSantis aggressively pushing priorities for last legislative session<\/p>\n
While DeSantis is entering his last year of his second term, he\u2019s attempting to resist lame duck status by pushing aggressively on property tax cuts and other ambitious measures.<\/p>\n
They include removing vaccine mandates for children, regulating artificial intelligence and asking lawmakers to conduct an unprecedented mid-decade redraw of congressional districts.<\/p>\n
The form of the property tax dispute, however, gives DeSantis less sway over the Legislature than on other issues.<\/p>\n
Because property taxes are part of the state constitution, the reduction proposals come as constitutional amendments that must be placed on the November 2026 ballot. They have to get at least 60% approval from both chambers of the Legislature, but they do not require DeSantis to sign them into law.<\/p>\n
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Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a press conference with Speaker of the House Danny Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. DeSantis signed anti-illegal immigration legislation then took questions from the media.<\/p>\n
Here are the House bills:<\/p>\n
HB 215 \u2013 Any vote to increase a property tax rate would require a two-thirds vote.<\/p>\n
HB 201 \u2013 All non-school property taxes for those with homestead exemptions would be eliminated starting Jan. 1, 2027.<\/p>\n
HB 203 \u2013 Non-school property taxes for homestead properties would be phased out over 10 years. The exemption would increase $100,000 in assessed property value each year.<\/p>\n
HB 205 \u2013 Non-school property taxes for residents over 65 with a homestead exemption would be eliminated.<\/p>\n
HB 207 \u2013 The current homestead exemption for non-school taxes would be increased to 25% of the assessed value of the home.<\/p>\n
HB 209 \u2013 Those with a homestead exemption who also have property insurance will see their exemption increased by $100,000.<\/p>\n
HB 211 \u2013 The $500,000 cap on transferring the homestead exemption from one property to another would be eliminated.<\/p>\n
HB 213 \u2013 The current 3% cap on the annual growth in assessed value for homestead properties and 10% cap on non-homestead properties would be lowered to 3% over three years for homestead properties and 15% over three years for non-homestead properties.<\/p>\n
Gray Rohrer\u00a0is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at\u00a0grohrer@gannett.com<\/a>. Follow him on X:\u00a0@GrayRohrer<\/a>.<\/p>\n