TALHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Voters may have the opportunity to place emphasis on eliminating property taxes in the 2026 election. State lawmakers met for the first time on the new select committee to discuss property tax relief.
“This process is not about the ego or pride of authors or credit. This means that they have the opportunity to determine their destiny by submitting the best proposals before the people of Florida,” said House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami).
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As lawmakers head for the May extension session, not only will they negotiate the state budget, but property taxes could also be the focus for many on the Capitol.
“We need to deal with this property,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said when he announced his tax exemption plan.
Property taxes are at the heart of debate between governors, House and Senate leaders.
“A few months ago, Gov. DeSantis introduced the inspiring and provocative idea of abolishing Florida property taxes,” said the speaker Perez.
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Speaker Perez called out DeSantis for putting property tax issues on the table, but there was no policy or plan to implement them.
But DeSantis’ proposal to eliminate property taxes, he said he would save $1,000 for homestead homeowners in Sunshine.
But Speaker Perez wants to take the issue into his own hands with the new Choice House Committee to dig deeper into the issue.
“This selection committee is hoping to ask difficult questions, listen to critics and dive deeper into being creative,” Speaker Perez said.
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Committee members met for the first time on Friday, May 2nd, discussing five proposals on property tax reform. These require constitutional reforms.
“We have a lot to do in very little time,” said Rep. Vicki Lopez, co-chair of the selection committee.
House speaker Perez has so far shared information about each proposal.
We require all cities, counties and special territories to hold a referendum on the abolition of Homestead’s property tax.
This allows taxpayers and tax authorities to have open and honest conversations about the services they receive for their taxes and whether they want to continue with those taxes. In the United States, people should not collect taxes unless they choose to allow themselves to be taxed.
Create a new Homestead Property Tax exemption for $500,000 for non-school property taxes. That $500,000 exemption increases to $1,000,000 for homeowners over the age of 65, or who have a homestead in Florida for over 30 years.
The proposal will provide a wide range of property tax easing for workers and middle-class Floridians, as well as enhanced protection for seniors and long-term homeowners.
Allows state legislatures to increase the exemptions for Homestead under state law.
This change will allow you to address property tax-related issues without going to vote.
Florida rating limits enhanced. Upper limits for homestead and non-homousted properties. Homestead Assessment Cap can be changed from 3% per year to 3% every three years. Adjust CAP from 10% per year to 15% every 3 years for non-homastered assessments.
The proposal will not only provide tax stability for Floridians, but will also significantly slow down local government revenue and spending growth.
It prohibits the government from seizing Homestead’s property for unpaid taxes.
One of the foundations of Florida’s housing policy is the sacredness of homes. The change places the government in the same position as private sector creditors and ensures that the government cannot drive Floridians out of their homes because they cannot pay taxes.
“I think we should be really careful and optimistic about our efforts to reduce tax burdens. We also want to see responsive police at the end of the day, where our members want to see responsive police, they want to see responsive fighters, they want to see high quality public education and improvements in roads, said Anna V. Escamani (D-Orlando) of the state legislature.
The five proposals are merely starting points for lawmakers. Nothing is set to stones.
The committee will collect data in the spring, summer and fall and introduce a House joint resolution or several resolutions to be heard in the first week at the start of the next session.
Speaker Perez said he would pass the House Property Tax Plan in the first week of the New Year session and then head to the November 2026 vote.
