TALLAHASSEE – In a significant move that sets the stage for a major political and fiscal battle, a Republican-dominated Florida House committee has advanced a series of proposals aimed at dramatically cutting or even eliminating non-school homestead property taxes. The House Select Committee on Property Taxes, on Thursday, November 21, 2025, voted along party lines to approve seven proposed constitutional amendments and one bill, sending them forward for further consideration regarding Florida Property Tax. These proposals, many of which would require voter approval in November 2026, represent a broad front in the ongoing effort to reduce the tax burden on Florida homeowners, a priority championed by Governor Ron DeSantis. However, the advancement of these measures has been met with sharp criticism from local government officials and some Democratic lawmakers, who warn of potentially devastating impacts on essential public services. This marks a crucial development in Florida’s current affairs, dominating headlines and shaping the political landscape as the state heads toward the 2026 election cycle, with Florida Property Tax reform a central theme.
A Multifaceted Approach to Florida Property Tax Relief
The flurry of proposals advanced by the committee offers a wide array of options for property tax reduction, encompassing outright elimination, phased-out reductions, increased exemptions, and enhanced portability of existing tax benefits. Seven of these measures are proposed constitutional amendments, meaning they must be approved by three-fifths of both the House and Senate before being placed on the statewide ballot for voter ratification in November 2026. Each of these amendments would require 60% of the vote to become part of the state constitution, directly impacting the future of Florida Property Tax.
Key among the proposed amendments are:
* HJR 201 (Rep. Kevin Steele): Seeks to eliminate non-school homestead property taxes entirely, meaning homeowners would no longer pay city and county levies on their primary residences. This could lead to billions in lost revenue for local governments, impacting the collection of Florida Property Tax.
* HJR 203 (Rep. Monique Miller): Proposes a 10-year phase-out of non-school homestead property taxes by gradually increasing the homestead exemption by $100,000 each year, a significant shift in Florida Property Tax policy.
* HJR 205 (Rep. Juan Porras, R-Miami): Would exempt Florida residents aged 65 and older from paying non-school homestead property taxes, a targeted approach to Florida Property Tax relief.
* HJR 207 (Rep. Shane Abbott): Introduces a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes equivalent to 25% of a home’s assessed value, aiming to benefit current homeowners and first-time buyers by reducing their Florida Property Tax burden.
* HJR 209 (Rep. Demi Busatta): Establishes an additional $100,000 non-school homestead tax exemption for homeowners who maintain property insurance, linking tax relief to resilient, insured homes and addressing Florida Property Tax concerns.
* HJR 211 (Rep. Toby Overdorf): Eliminates the cap on the “portability” of Save Our Homes (SOH) benefits, allowing homeowners to transfer their accumulated tax savings to a new primary residence, even if it’s of lesser value, a key component of Florida Property Tax law.
* HJR 213 (Rep. Griff Griffitts): Modifies limitations on property assessment increases, slowing the growth of non-school homestead property tax assessments to 3% over three years (instead of 3% annually) and non-homestead property assessments to 15% over three years (instead of 10% annually), influencing future Florida Property Tax bills.
In addition to these constitutional amendments, HB 215 (Rep. Jon Albert), a bill that would only require legislative approval and the governor’s signature, was also advanced. This bill mandates a two-thirds vote by local governments to increase tax rates and allows newly married couples to combine their accumulated SOH tax benefits, a step towards comprehensive Florida Property Tax reform.
The Republican Push for Reduced Florida Property Taxes
Proponents of these measures argue that local government property taxes have escalated to an “unsustainable rate,” creating an “undue financial burden” on Florida’s citizens and businesses. Committee Chairman Toby Overdorf stated, “It is time to put money back in the hands of Floridians”. Republicans contend that many local governments have grown beyond reasonable levels, with some audits revealing significant potential for waste and fraud. The proposals are designed to shield funding for schools and law enforcement, with explicit prohibitions against reducing budgets for these essential services included in most of the measures, aiming for sensible Florida Property Tax legislation.
Governor Ron DeSantis has made slashing property taxes a cornerstone of his agenda for 2026, advocating for the elimination of taxes on homesteaded properties, which he has described as akin to “paying rent to the government”, a bold stance on Florida Property Tax.
Local Governments Sound the Alarm on Florida Property Tax
Despite the Republican legislative push, local government officials have voiced strong opposition, warning that these proposals could lead to “billions of dollars in lost revenue” and necessitate severe cuts to services that residents rely on. Charles Chapman, a legislative consultant for the Florida League of Cities, cautioned that the measures “create instability, increase taxpayer inequities, and risk the quality of life for the residents who choose to live in cities”. He further noted that property taxes are a stable revenue source that impacts cities’ credit ratings, suggesting that significant reductions would lead to higher interest rates for infrastructure projects and ultimately cost taxpayers more for fewer benefits. This opposition highlights the critical role of local government revenue.
Reports from organizations like the Broward League of Cities and the Florida Policy Institute highlight the potential for a “dramatic erosion of municipal revenue.” In Broward County, property taxes account for an average of 48% of a city’s general fund, with public safety services alone consuming about 55% of that fund. If property taxes were eliminated, many Broward cities could face drastic service reductions, potentially impacting everything from parks and recreation to public works. For heavily homesteaded cities in Broward, proposals like HJR 201 could mean losing over 50% of their revenue, with some, like Parkland, facing over 75% in losses, underscoring the potential impact on homestead property tax.
Concerns extend to “fiscally constrained” counties, often rural areas with smaller tax bases, which depend heavily on homestead property taxes. Officials in these counties fear such cuts could lead to the “dismemberment of vital services” and make them overly reliant on state funding. For instance, in Miami-Dade County, eliminating property taxes on all homesteaded properties could result in an estimated $899 million loss of revenue, representing about 5.23% of the county’s total budget, illustrating the profound effect on local government revenue.
Opposition and Political Squabbles Over Florida Property Tax
Democratic lawmakers have joined local officials in criticizing the proposals. House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa argued that the cuts could lead to “tax shifts” onto businesses and renters, potentially resulting in higher fees for services or increased sales taxes. Representative Mike Gottlieb (D-Davie) expressed concern that voters might not fully understand the consequences, suggesting the relief might disproportionately benefit existing homeowners rather than those seeking to enter the housing market, a point of contention in Florida tax legislation.
Adding another layer of complexity, Governor DeSantis has been critical of the House’s strategy of advancing multiple proposals, suggesting it could “confuse voters” and lead to all measures failing to achieve the necessary 60% approval for constitutional amendments. While he advocates for property tax elimination, he has not yet released a detailed plan of his own, leading to speculation that this could be part of a political strategy related to Ron DeSantis property tax initiatives. Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins has echoed concerns about the approach, suggesting Floridians desire a single, sweeping amendment to “get rid of property tax on homesteaded properties”.
The Legislative Path Ahead for Florida Property Tax Reform
While the House has moved forward with its package of proposals, the Florida Senate has not yet introduced similar measures, indicating potential hurdles in the legislative process for Florida Property Tax reform. The approved constitutional amendments must pass the Senate and then secure a 60% voter mandate in November 2026. HB 215, being a statutory bill, requires a simpler legislative path and the governor’s signature, offering a potential avenue for enacting changes to the Florida Property Tax system.
As this news unfolds, the debate over property taxes highlights a fundamental tension between reducing individual tax burdens and ensuring the financial stability and service capacity of local governments. The ultimate outcome of these proposals will have far-reaching implications for the fiscal health of communities across Florida and the services available to their residents, all centered around the significant issue of Florida Property Tax.
The current legislative session is just beginning to grapple with these complex issues, and the coming months will reveal whether these ambitious tax-cut plans will evolve into ballot initiatives or face significant revisions as they navigate the legislative process and the governor’s office. The future of property taxation in Florida, and the services it funds, hangs in the balance, making this a critical story in Florida’s current political affairs concerning the complex landscape of Florida Property Tax.
