Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n
ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has submitted rewritten ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that could significantly change property taxes across the state.<\/p>\n
The revision follows an Aug. 3 ruling from Leon County Circuit Judge David Frank, who found the original title and summary for Amendment 3 biased, misleading and inaccurate.<\/p>\n
The new proposed title is \u201cIncreased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments.\u201d<\/p>\n
It replaces the original title, \u201cSave Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes,\u201d which the judge said read more like a political slogan than a neutral description of the measure.<\/p>\n
What Amendment 3 would change<\/p>\n
Under the revised summary, the proposed amendment would increase Florida\u2019s homestead exemption for taxes other than school district levies.<\/p>\n
The exemption would increase to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It would then be adjusted annually for inflation beginning in 2029.<\/p>\n
People who are not Florida residents as of Dec. 31, 2026, would receive the existing homestead exemption after qualifying. They would become eligible for the increased exemption beginning with their fifth year of receiving a homestead exemption, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Constitution.<\/p>\n
The proposal would also reduce the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%. That category includes rental properties, vacation homes and commercial properties.<\/p>\n
Counties and municipalities would be required to use property-tax revenue for designated purposes, including:<\/p>\n
Public safety, including law enforcement, fire services and emergency medical servicesEducation and public schoolsInfrastructureNatural-resource projectsBond obligationsEmployee retirement benefitsGovernment operations and administration<\/p>\n
The proposal would also require lawmakers to establish a process allowing counties and municipalities to increase the homestead exemption beyond the constitutional minimum, potentially up to a property\u2019s full assessed value.<\/p>\n
Special districts could take similar action with voter approval.<\/p>\n
Attorney general raises concerns about the process<\/p>\n
Uthmeier said state law limited his office to rewriting the proposed title and summary, not the full amendment approved by lawmakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder Florida law, we don\u2019t have the ability to rewrite the full amendment, just the ballot summary and title consistent with the court\u2019s ruling,\u201d Uthmeier said in a statement provided to Channel 9.<\/p>\n
Uthmeier also criticized how the proposal was developed, saying law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders should have been more involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe amendment could certainly have been rolled out with greater transparency and the meaningful involvement of key stakeholders, including our law enforcement agencies,\u201d Uthmeier said. \u201cNo one wants to defund our incredible sheriffs, yet there were no discussions to involve them in this process.\u201d<\/p>\n
The amendment\u2019s language specifically permits counties and municipalities to spend property-tax revenue on public safety. However, increasing the exemption would reduce the assessed property value available for many local governments to tax, raising concerns about how they would continue funding services.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf it does not pass, I look forward to working with the legislature and our law enforcement leaders on comprehensive tax relief that protects public safety,\u201d Uthmeier said.<\/p>\n
What happens next<\/p>\n
The rewritten title and summary remain subject to review following the court\u2019s ruling.<\/p>\n
The amendment itself remains scheduled for Florida\u2019s November 2026 general-election ballot. It would need approval from at least 60% of voters to become part of the Florida Constitution.<\/p>\n
If approved, the amendment would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.<\/p>\n
Voters can review the amendment and its status through the Florida Division of Elections<\/a>. Additional legislative information is available through the Florida Senate<\/a>.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n