TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Florida House Speaker Danny Perez has withdrawn eight new property tax proposals that the Legislature will consider in the next session.
For now, members of Congress are leading the charge for property tax relief. But that responsibility now shifts to the Senate, which will either pass all eight proposals or narrow them down.
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Back in March of this year, Governor Ron DeSantis asked Florida voters to pass on their property tax proposals.
“I am aware that members of Congress are studying this issue with an eye toward developing a proposal to be placed on the 2026 ballot,” DeSantis said.
Since then, there have been multiple House committee meetings, back and forth between the Legislature and the governor, and months of dialogue with constituents and local governments.
“We’re really giving this back to the voters. You know, we trust the voters. They put us in office, and now they’re telling us which way they want to go,” said state Rep. Toby Overdorf (R-Palm City).
In an effort to craft the best options for voters to consider in 2026, Speaker Perez announced eight new proposals from lawmakers, ranging from exemptions to repeals to reforms.
Pointing to two different factors: No. 1: Schools are off-limits, and No. 2: Police and fire departments maintain the necessary funding.
Categorical deletion:
HB 215 by Rep. Albert makes a number of legislative changes, including requiring a two-thirds vote.
Increasing the millage rate and allowing newlyweds to join together
Save Our Homes benefits have been accumulated.
HJR 201 by Rep. Steele would eliminate the non-school home ownership tax.
HJR 203 by Representative Miller would phase out the non-school home ownership tax over 10 years. Homeowners would receive an additional $100,000 in forgiveness each year.
After 10 years, all non-school home ownership taxes will be eliminated.
HJR 205 by Representative Porras would exempt Floridians age 65 and older from paying non-school homeownership taxes.
Additional exceptions:
HJR 207 by Congressman Abbott creates a new homestead exemption for non-school property
Tax equal to 25% of the appraised value of the home. In addition to providing comfort,
It’s beneficial for first-time home buyers as well as current homeowners.
HJR 209 by Rep. Busatta creates a new property insurance relief homestead tax
Exemption. Homestead property owners who purchase property insurance are entitled to:
An additional $100,000 in non-school property tax exemptions.
reform:
HJR 211 by Rep. Overdorf would eliminate carry restrictions and allow homeowners to
parable,
The value of the house will be lower.
HJR 213 by Rep. Griffitts would limit non-school homestead assessed value increases.
Property taxes on homestead properties will be reduced to 3% for 3 years (currently 3% for 3 years)
year), 15% over 3 years for non-homestead property (currently 10% per year)
year).
“As you may have noticed, we have not provided implementing language for any of these bills, primarily because we are waiting for voters to tell us what to do, and implementing language could follow immediately after that,” Oberdorf said.
But Gov. DeSantis has already expressed doubts about the Legislature, threatening to call a special summer session if the Legislature loses momentum.
Notably, the governor’s property tax rebate proposal, which was included in a separate bill, was left out of the Speaker’s package.
Isn’t it included in the package? Democrats have introduced a bill that continues to highlight concerns about the impact on funding for public services.
House members are scheduled to debate eight proposals in November, with all eyes on the Senate to decide whether to adopt or pare back the list.
