Florida House members advanced a proposed amendment to the state constitution to phase out some property taxes on homesteaded property.
A joint resolution by Republican state Rep. Monique Miller would safeguard property tax dollars for school districts and law enforcement. During a Jan. 15 meeting of the House State Affairs Committee, the resolution was approved along party lines, via 16-6 vote, with an amendment to also preserve property tax funds for fire rescue.
The bill is still making its rounds through committee before it reaches the House floor. If passed, it’s still unknown whether the Senate will take up the bill. And Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing for a possible special session after the regular 60-day session to deal with property tax relief.
Any change to the state constitution would have to go to voters for approval. Including Miller’s proposal, House members are mulling seven joint resolutions for property tax relief that could appear on the November ballot. House Speaker Danny Perez said last week he expects one proposal to appear on the ballot for voters.
Miller said she filed the House Joint Resolution 203 to provide meaningful property tax relief to Floridians. She said her bill proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution that gradually increases the homestead exemption from all ad valorem taxes by $100,000 each year for 10 years, beginning in 2027. By 2037, all homesteaded property would be exempt, aside from taxes for schools and first responders.
“By reducing taxes over years, we are giving local governments time to adjust to new revenue levels, and empowering them to find responsible solutions,” Miller said.
State Rep. Jim Mooney, who sits on the State Affairs Committee, voted to advance the resolution. He said voted “yes” to give voters the ultimate say.
“It doesn’t mean I like it, but it would be unfair for me to vote ‘no.’ I can’t make the call for the voter,” he said.
Mooney said the conversation over property tax relief at least has counties and cities throughout the Sunshine state examining their spending while taking a hard look at how they tax property owners.
Charles Chapman, legislative consultant for the Florida League of Cities, said such proposals like Miller’s would end up becoming a tax shift.
“The burden will shift to businesses, the renters, because fees, assessments, higher non-homestead millage rates could replace the homestead tax break,” he said.
