Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills in Bradenton this week that his administration says are aimed at protecting Florida taxpayers, increasing local government accountability and supporting future property tax relief efforts.
Mr. DeSantis signed Senate Bill 4-F and House Bill 1329. The bill focuses on limiting increases in local property taxes and requiring counties and municipalities to provide more detailed financial information to the public.
“Florida has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and respect for taxpayers by cutting its budget for the fourth year in a row,” DeSantis said. “We are now working at the local level to protect taxpayers from their taxes.”
Senate Bill 4-F relates to a proposed constitutional amendment known as “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” and is scheduled for a vote in November 2026. This bill changes the way local governments calculate the highest rate of property tax that can be approved by a simple majority vote.
Under current law, local governments can increase the rollback rate based on growth in Florida’s per capita personal income. The new law removes that adjustment and generally limits the maximum levy to the standard rollback rate.
The bill also increases approval standards for local governments wishing to adopt a miscellaneous charge rate that exceeds the rollback rate. Mileage rates up to 110% of the rollback rate require a two-thirds vote of the Governing Body. Tax rates above 110% would require unanimous approval, a three-quarters vote of the larger steering committee, or voter approval in a referendum.
Supporters of the bill say the changes would make it harder for local governments to raise property tax collections without broad public support.
The bill also allows for expanded language on constitutional amendment ballot propositions, which state officials say will provide voters with a clearer explanation of the measure when it appears on the 2026 ballot.
DeSantis also signed House Bill 1329, known as the Local Government Financial Transparency and Accountability Act. The measure would require counties and local governments to publish detailed financial information online, including budget summaries, revenues and expenditures, departmental spending, staffing information, reserve levels, fund balances and other budget documents.
The bill also requires local governments to issue quarterly reports on employee compensation and establish an annual budgeting calendar.
One of the most important provisions of HB 1329 requires local governments to conduct a budget reduction exercise before adopting a final budget. Local officials would need to identify ways to reduce proposed spending by 10 percent without impacting critical services such as law enforcement, fire protection, and other legally mandated government functions.
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia praised the bill, saying it would give Floridians more information about how local governments are using taxpayer dollars.
“Local governments continue to increase their budgets by resorting to scare tactics, including threatening cuts to essential services,” Ingoglia said. “This critically important bill will end wasteful spending in local government and empower Floridians to hold local officials accountable.”
The DeSantis administration says the new law builds on broader efforts to reduce the tax burden on Florida households and increase oversight of local government spending.
Together, these measures are intended to provide stronger protection against property tax increases, give taxpayers greater access to local budget information, and strengthen accountability for elected officials responsible for managing public funds.
