FLORIDA HOUSE UNVEILS BROAD PROPERTY TAX REFORM PROPOSALS
Legislative & Policy Update
On October 16, 2025, Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez issued a memorandum outlining seven proposed constitutional amendments that could reshape Florida’s property tax system. The proposals collectively aim to reduce or restructure property taxes on homestead properties, modify assessment limits, and expand portability of existing tax benefits.
Speaker Perez noted that the Legislature’s intent is to give voters multiple reform options rather than a single plan. “The House does not need to limit itself to one proposal,” he wrote, “but instead allow the people of Florida the ability to choose some, all, or none of the proposals on the 2026 ballot.”
If approved by lawmakers, these measures would appear on the November 2026 ballot and, if adopted by voters, take effect as early as January 1, 2027.
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
- Elimination of Non-School Property Taxes for Homesteads – HJR 201 (Rep. Steele, R): Would eliminate all non-school property taxes—those imposed by counties, municipalities, and special districts—on homestead properties beginning in 2027. The measure preserves funding levels for local law enforcement.
- Ten-Year Phase-Out of Non-School Property Taxes – HJR 203 (Rep. Miller, R): Proposes a gradual reduction of non-school property taxes on homesteads by increasing the exemption by $100,000 each year until full elimination in 2037. Law enforcement funding protections remain intact.
- Exemption for Homeowners Age 65 and Older – HJR 205 (Rep. Porras, R): Would exempt homestead properties owned by individuals aged 65 or older from all non-school property taxes starting January 1, 2027, while maintaining police funding protections.
- Percentage-Based Homestead Exemption – HJR 207 (Rep. Abbott, R): Replaces the current flat $50,000 homestead exemption with a percentage-based exemption equal to 25% of the property’s assessed value. For example, a home valued at $400,000 would receive a $100,000 exemption. Applies only to non-school taxes.
- Property Insurance Relief Incentive – HJR 209 (Rep. Busatta, R): Provides an additional $100,000 exemption on non-school taxes for homesteads insured by a comprehensive multiperil policy, as defined by general law.
- Expansion of Save Our Homes Portability – HJR 211 (Rep. Overdorf, R): Eliminates the $500,000 cap on transferring accrued Save Our Homes benefits between properties for non-school taxes, while maintaining the existing cap for school
- Modification of Assessment Limitations – HJR 213 (Rep. Griffitts, R): Restructures the Save Our Homes assessment limitation.
- For homestead properties, taxable value for school taxes would continue to rise by no more than 3% per year or CPI, whichever is lower.
- For non-school taxes, assessments would occur every three years, with a cumulative cap of 3% or CPI.
- For non-homestead properties, the three-year cap would be 15%.
RELATED PROPERTY TAX LEGISLATION
In addition to the constitutional amendments, several related bills have been introduced in the 2025 session:
- HB 215 (Albert, R): Requires a two-thirds supermajority vote for any local millage rate increase and allows newly married couples to combine their Save Our Homes benefits.
- HB 39 / SB 118 (Nix & Truenow, R): Clarifies limits on special assessments for recreational vehicle parks based on maximum legal vehicle size.
- HJR 67 / HB 69 (Holcomb, R): Reduces the Save Our Homes cap on annual assessment increases from 3% to 1.5%, effective 2027.
- HB 71 (Holcomb, R): Creates a $1,000 rebate for all Florida homestead property owners. The statewide fiscal impact is estimated at more than $5 billion.
- SB 110 (Arrington, D): Clarifies that the homestead exemption remains valid for certain long-term leasehold interests used in estate planning.
- HB 149 (Chamberlin, R): Temporarily reverts millage rates for FY 2027–2028 to levels from the 2022–2023 fiscal year.
What’s Next
These proposals will undergo committee review and fiscal impact analysis by state economists before advancing to floor consideration.
If adopted by the Legislature, they could mark the most significant revision of Florida’s property tax system in decades.
Stakeholders—including homeowners, developers, local governments, and tax professionals—should closely monitor the 2026 ballot initiatives and legislative process for further developments.
For More Information
For guidance on how these potential constitutional changes may affect your real estate holdings or property tax strategy, contact Miami Legal, P.A., by telephone at 305-668-6449 or by email at info@miamilegalpa.com
