Article Courtesy of Florida Politics

By Staff Report

Published June 8, 2026

Floridians are one step closer to voting to lower homestead property taxes, a move that could put money in homeowners’ pockets even as county and city officials have warned of the effort wreaking havoc on local budgets.

The Senate voted 30-9 to move HJR 1-F to the ballot, after it passed the House by a 75-26 vote. The measure is a major priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

If approved by at least 60% of voters in November, the constitutional amendment would lift homestead exemptions for those who own primary residences in the state by the end of this year to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and tie further increases in the exemption to the Consumer Price Index.

School taxes would not be subject to the increased exemption limit, and would stay at $25,000.

“We wanted to make sure that if this were to pass in November, our K-12 system wouldn’t be in a deficit,” House Speaker Daniel Perez told reporters after the vote.

Newer residents would qualify for a $50,000 exemption to start. After five years, they would derive full benefit from the tax break.

The amendment would cap assessment increases for other property at 5% a year.

Local governments would be limited in what they can fund under this proposal to public safety, infrastructure, schools, debt service and pensions. County constitutional officers like Elections Supervisors, Clerks of Court, Property Appraisers, and County and City Commissions would also be funded.

The homestead exemption would be portable, allowing people to move from one primary residence to another without fear of losing it.

In the House, Democrats protested the speedy rollout of the proposal and warned that passage could lead to local governments slashing services from libraries to public safety while residents also get hit with a rise in fees.

“Why the rush? Why three days? Why not ask for actual numbers?” asked Rep. Robin Bartleman, a Weston Democrat. “And most importantly, every 20 years the taxation and budget reform commission meets. They are constitutionally obligated to discuss this exact topic. It’s perfect. They are meeting next year.”

“That is a great question,” responded Republican Rep. Toby Overdorf who carried the legislation in the House.

“I know that here in the Florida House we have taken the property tax discussion seriously. We have been working on this issue for over a year and a half. We have met with people from Pensacola to Key West, everywhere in between. … The upcoming taxation committee is certainly an option that is out there. However, we currently have a proposal from the Governor and that’s what we’re hearing during the special session.”

Rep. Bruce Antone, an Orlando Democrat, asked about what happens to a small city like Eatonville in Orange County.

Eatonville — the oldest Black-established city in America — has only a $7 million budget where nearly every home is assessed at less than $250,000, he said.

“The city that you’re referring to is going to have to make some decisions as to how they would spend the monies that are still coming in, whether it’s coming through a non-homestead, whether it’s coming through other resources,” Overdorf said. “They’re going to have to decide, in fact, how they’re going to spend their money and what resources are they going to utilize to do that.”

Democrats remained critical.

“By gutting our counties and cities, we will pay more for lower quality services,” said Rep. a Jupiter Democrat. “All public services are threatened. I stand with teachers and I’m glad they were carved out, but I also stand with firefighters, police, home health aides, social workers.”

In the Senate, Democratic floor amendments that would have changed the ballot language, added a five-year sunset clause, and so-called “circuit breaker” assessment caps for people making less than $150,000 a year did not get traction ahead of the vote.

After the amendments were heard, Senators peppered the bill sponsor, Sen. Bryan Ávila, with questions.

In response to a question from Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman, Ávila conceded that state legislators would be “even more involved” in local government should voters approve the amendment, but that’s necessary because local governments could have made cuts rather than force the state to pursue “immediate property tax relief.”

Local governments could have state legislators attempt to get support for projects should this measure pass, which could engender difficulty when it comes to long-range planning.

Responding to a follow up from former Senate President Don Gaetz, Ávila said reducing property tax would compel local governments to reconsider core functions. He doesn’t expect added fees and assessments, as some predict might happen. Ávila also signaled openness to a Colorado-styled taxpayer bill of rights, which is something DeSantis has advocated.

During debate, Democrats blasted the proposal, saying it would unduly punish local governments and that its consequences were unknown.

As opposed to the House, where bill sponsor Overdorf was the only advocate, Senators from both parties and beyond rallied behind the amendment going on the ballot.

Independent Sen. Jason Pizzo, who raised questions and concerns in the Appropriations Committee, was someone convinced by the Senate colloquy to support putting the measure on the ballot, despite qualms about benefits for noncitizens and a failure to boost the exemption for lifetime residents of the state who are buying their first homes.

Meanwhile, Gaetz argued that Democrats said they wanted property tax relief and the Governor delivered, even though some might have thought it was “late.”

“We can be mad that the Governor didn’t come in sooner. I’m happy that he came in at all,” the Panhandle Republican said.

Republicans who were on the fence, like Sens. Alexis Calatayud, Gayle Harrell, Corey Simon and Tom Wright, spoke in favor of the legislation.

Simon, who represents rural North Florida counties, argued that the proposal is about “giving the public a voice.”

Wright was “prepared to kill this bill,” but he agreed the voters deserved an “opportunity” to decide.

Democratic Sen. Barbara Sharief was swayed to back the proposal, further cinching its Senate fate.

“We owe it to the residents to give them this opportunity,” added Democratic Sen. Mack Bernard.

In his close, Ávila said “leadership requires you to make tough decisions.”

And legislators, despite their qualms, made the decision to put a potential radical restructuring of local government in Florida in the voters’ hands in November.

After the vote, leadership and sponsors celebrated the passage via provided quotes.

“Owning your own home has been the American dream since our nation was founded 250 years ago. What better way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary than a massive property tax cut through a $250,000 homestead exemption for Floridians,” said Senate President Ben Albritton.

“I’m grateful to Governor DeSantis for leading the conversation on cutting property taxes and putting forward this robust proposal for the consideration of Florida voters this fall. For our part, the Senate has consistently advocated for an amendment that is significant and straightforward – a $250,000 homestead exemption in honor of America’s 250th birthday achieves that goal and then some,” he added.

“Our nation was forged by pioneer patriots who left everything behind and risked their lives for the dream of living in freedom on their own piece of property. We agree with Governor DeSantis that having to continually pay the government for the right to live on your own property flies in the face of that dream,” said Avila. “This amendment takes a historic step, providing meaningful relief for Florida families, while protecting businesses from extreme tax increases and safeguarding local funding for education, law enforcement, infrastructure, and other essential government functions.”

The House Speaker, who has had a contentious relationship with the Governor, said DeSantis “deserves a lot of credit” for pushing for property tax relief two years ago.

Perez called Tuesday a victory for voters to have the power to decide the initiative.

“We’re entrusting our voters. And if the voters decide in November by less than 60% that this is what they wanted or not to do, then we trust that that was the right decision,” Perez said.