TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A series of proposals designed to significantly reduce or eliminate non-school homestead property taxes cleared a key hurdle in the Florida House of Representatives on Thursday, November 21, 2025. The advancement of these eight measures, spearheaded by the Republican-dominated House Select Committee on Property Taxes, sets the stage for a contentious legislative session and a potential statewide referendum in November 2026. The move, however, has drawn sharp criticism from local government officials who warn of billions in lost revenue and drastic cuts to essential services, while also facing scrutiny from Governor Ron DeSantis, who advocates for a more singular, bolder approach to Florida property tax reform.
House Panel Advances Multifaceted Florida Property Tax Relief Proposals
The House Select Committee on Property Taxes, chaired by Representative Toby Overdorf (R-Palm City), voted along party lines to approve seven proposed constitutional amendments and one bill. These proposals aim to provide tangible relief to Florida homeowners, who have been contending with rising Florida property tax bills. Among the most significant measures is House Joint Resolution 201, which seeks to eliminate non-school Florida property taxes outright. Another key proposal, HJR 203, would phase out these taxes over a decade by increasing the homestead exemption by $100,000 annually, ultimately exempting non-school levies on primary residences by 2037. Other proposals include exemptions for residents over 65, a new 25% non-school homestead exemption, and measures aimed at property insurance relief and modifying the Save Our Homes portability benefit, all part of the ongoing taxation debate Florida faces.
House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami), a vocal proponent of these initiatives, stated that the proposals are intended to return money to Floridians and allow voters to have a direct say in their tax obligations. He has emphasized that the House is presenting a menu of options, believing the public should have the ability to choose “some, all, or none” of the proposals on the 2026 ballot. The committee also advanced HB 215, a bill that would not require voter approval, mandating a two-thirds vote for local governments to increase tax rates and allowing newlyweds to combine their Save Our Homes benefits.
Proponents Argue for Fiscal Responsibility and Florida Property Tax Relief
Supporters of the tax cut measures argue that local property taxes have grown at an “unsustainable rate,” placing an undue financial burden on citizens and businesses. Representative Overdorf echoed this sentiment, stating, “It is time to put money back in the hands of Floridians”. The House leadership has consistently maintained that these proposals are designed to shield funding for core services like schools and law enforcement. Indeed, many of the proposals include provisions that prohibit local governments from reducing funding for law enforcement budgets due to lower Florida property tax revenues.
Speaker Perez has also engaged in public debate with Governor DeSantis, suggesting the Governor’s criticisms of the House’s multifaceted approach as “small and petty” and a “political game.” Perez has defended the House’s strategy, emphasizing that offering multiple options empowers voters and that a single, sweeping amendment, as favored by the Governor, might not capture the full spectrum of voter sentiment. The news surrounding these legislative developments is currently trending across Florida political discourse regarding Florida property tax changes.
Opposition Warns of Service Cuts and Fiscal Instability in Florida Property Tax Debate
Despite the proponents’ arguments, local government officials and organizations like the Florida League of Cities have voiced significant concerns. Charles Chapman, a legislative consultant for the League, warned that the proposals could lead to “billions of dollars in lost revenue” and a “dramatic erosion of municipal revenue.” He highlighted that property taxes are a stable and essential funding source for local services, including public safety, infrastructure, parks, and libraries, and that these local government revenue streams are critical. Without these funds, cities may face devastating choices, service cuts, and a negative impact on their credit ratings, leading to higher borrowing costs for crucial infrastructure projects.
Treasure Island Fire Chief Tripp Barrs specifically noted the absence of an exception for fire services in many proposals, expressing concern about potential increases in response times and staffing reductions that could endanger residents. House Democrats, led by Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa), have also criticized the proposals, arguing that eliminating property taxes would be “devastating” and lead to the defunding of essential public services like police and fire departments. They also contend that any revenue replacement, such as through increased sales taxes, would disproportionately burden lower-income families.
Governor DeSantis’s Stance on Florida Property Tax and the Broader Fiscal Landscape
Governor Ron DeSantis has long championed the idea of eliminating property taxes on primary residences, making it a priority for the 2026 ballot. His vision is for Floridians to truly own their homes “free and clear of the government.” However, he has been critical of the House’s diverse set of proposals, calling them “milquetoast” and a “political game” that could confuse voters and lead to the failure of all measures. DeSantis has advocated for a single, bold amendment that could achieve more significant Florida property tax reduction. He has also suggested that state budget surpluses and increased government efficiency could offset revenue losses, dismissing the need for sales tax hikes.
The debate over property taxes is unfolding against a backdrop of Florida’s broader affordability crisis, which many experts attribute more directly to skyrocketing homeowners’ insurance premiums rather than property taxes themselves. Property taxes remain the primary funding mechanism for local governments and schools in Florida, underpinning services that residents rely on daily. The estimated fiscal impact of eliminating non-school homestead property taxes alone is staggering, potentially costing the state upwards of $18 billion annually, impacting the overall taxation debate Florida is experiencing.
Looking Ahead: A Contentious Path to 2026 Florida Property Tax Decisions
The advancement of these proposals by the Florida House marks a significant step in the ongoing, high-stakes debate over property taxation. The coming legislative session will likely see further wrangling over the details and potential impacts of these measures. With differing visions between the Governor and legislative leadership, and strong opposition from local government advocates, the path to the 2026 ballot and potential voter approval for Florida property tax reform is far from certain. The fundamental tension between providing tax relief and ensuring the sustained funding of vital local services will continue to be a central theme in Florida’s political news cycle. This ongoing discussion, involving key figures from Miami to across the state, underscores the complexity of balancing fiscal policy with the daily needs of communities. Residents across Florida, particularly in areas like Miami, are closely watching these developments, which could reshape the state’s financial landscape for years to come.
