The Florida House of Representatives has overwhelmingly approved a proposal that could lead to the elimination of property taxes on homesteaded homes, sending the measure to voters for consideration in 2026. This bold move, championed by House leadership as historic tax relief, faces significant hurdles in the State Senate and potential opposition from the governor, setting the stage for a contentious legislative battle over the future of local government funding.
Key Takeaways
- The Florida House passed a joint resolution to place a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot that would eliminate non-school property taxes for homesteaded properties.
- The proposal, if approved by voters, would take effect in the 2027 tax year and is projected to cost local governments billions annually.
- The State Senate has not advanced a similar measure, with leaders expressing concerns about the financial impact on counties and signaling a potentially different approach.
- Governor Ron DeSantis has indicated he is working with the Senate on a separate property tax plan, suggesting the House’s proposal may not advance as is.
- Democrats strongly oppose the measure, warning of severe cuts to essential local services like police and fire departments.
House Approves Sweeping Property Tax Reform
The Florida House voted 80-30 to approve a constitutional amendment resolution that would phase out property taxes on primary residences, excluding school-related levies. House leaders, including Speaker Daniel Perez and Rep. Monique Miller, hailed the proposal as a significant step towards reducing the tax burden on Floridians and shrinking government. "Floridians asked us to come up here to spend less money, to reduce the size of state budgets, and I’m so proud that for the second year in a row, we have proposed to do just that," stated Rep. Miller. Supporters believe the House has thoroughly studied the issue and is prepared for this reform.
Democratic Opposition and Concerns
Democrats voiced strong opposition, arguing that the elimination of property taxes would destabilize local governments that depend on this revenue for critical services. Representatives like Yvonne Hayes Hinson and Robin Bartleman warned that the measure could lead to deep cuts in funding for police, fire departments, and infrastructure. "Let’s call it what it is. It is defunding the police, and it is defunding the fire department," said Rep. Christine Hunschofsky. Concerns were also raised about the proposal not addressing rising property insurance costs, a significant burden for many Floridians.
Senate Resistance and Gubernatorial Influence
Despite passing the House, the proposal’s path forward is uncertain. Senate President Ben Albritton stated the Senate is "looking at this globally" and has not committed to taking up the House’s resolution. Governor Ron DeSantis has also indicated he is collaborating with Senate leaders on an alternative property tax approach, suggesting the House’s plan might be too hasty. "Given that it can’t be voted on by the people before November, it’s better to do it right than do it quick!" the governor posted on social media. This suggests the House’s proposal could stall or be significantly altered.
Potential Impact and Next Steps
If the House’s constitutional amendment were to reach the ballot and be approved by 60% of voters, it would eliminate an estimated $14.8 billion in annual funding for local governments. This could force local entities to increase fees or potentially raise other taxes to compensate. The legislative session is scheduled to end soon, and the lack of Senate agreement means the future of this property tax overhaul remains in flux, potentially requiring a special session for further negotiation.
Sources
- House approves dramatic property tax rollback, sets up clash with Senate, WPTV.
- Florida House passes bill to eliminate most property taxes, Tallahassee Democrat.
- Florida House passes proposed amendment to immediately phase out property taxes • Florida Phoenix, Florida Phoenix.
- Florida House passes property tax proposal. What happens next?, Tampa Bay Times.