TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In the midst of hurricane season, one Florida lawmaker is proposing to get rid of sales taxes for a few new items.
That proposal — Senate Bill 78 — was initially filed by state Sen. Rosalind Osgood (D-32) on Wednesday afternoon.
Under this bill, a couple of home hardening products would be added to the list of goods that are exempt from the state’s sales tax.
These items include impact-resistant windows, doors, and garage doors that meet state standards.
Although the bill was filed this week, it will have to wait until the 2026 Florida Legislature to begin before it can receive further consideration. And even if it’s approved, the bill won’t take effect until July 1, 2026.
That being said, if the bill does manage to pass the Legislature and gets the governor’s signature, these home-hardening products will join the list of other items that are already exempt from the sales tax.
Some of these items were added to the list just last month as part of the most recent state budget.
[BELOW: Here’s what to know about sales tax exemptions going forward]
These latest items are as follows:
- AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries
- Smoke detection devices
- Carbon monoxide alarms
- Fire extinguishers
- Portable generators
- Waterproof tarps and other flexible waterproof sheeting (1,000 square feet or less)
- Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
- Portable gas or diesel fuel cans (5 gallons or less)
- Life jackets
- Bicycle helmets
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
The budget also sets up a permanent back-to-school sales tax holiday that will take place throughout August each year.
In addition, the budget establishes a “Hunting, Fishing and Camping” sales tax holiday that will last until Dec. 31 this year.
The applicable items for these two sales tax holidays are as follows:
| Tax Holiday | Item | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Back-to-School | Clothing | $100 or less |
| Back-to-School | Footwear | $100 or less |
| Back-to-School | Wallets | $100 or less |
| Back-to-School | Handbags, backpacks, fanny packs and diaper bags | $100 or less |
| Back-to-School | Pens, pencils, crayons, markers and erasers | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Notebooks, legal pads, binders, and construction paper | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Lunch boxes | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Glue and paste | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Scissors | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Cellophane tape | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Rulers | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Computer disks | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Staplers and staples | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Protractors and compasses | $50 or less |
| Back-to-School | Flashcards and other learning cards | $30 or less |
| Back-to-School | Jigsaw puzzles, memory games, and other learning books | $30 or less |
| Back-to-School | Personal computers and related accessories | $1,500 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Ammunition | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Firearms | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Gun cleaning kits and charging handles | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Holsters and pistol grips | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Sights, optics and stocks | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Bows and crossbows | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Arrows, bolts, quarrels and quivers | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Wristguards | -- |
| Hunting and Camping | Sleeping bags and portable hammocks | $50 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Camping stoves | $50 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Collapsible camping chairs | $50 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Camping lanterns and flashlights | $30 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Tents | $200 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Fishing rods and reels (individual) | $75 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Fishing rods and reels (set) | $150 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Tackle boxes and bags | $30 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Bait or fishing tackle (individual) | $5 or less |
| Hunting and Camping | Bait or fishing tackle (set) | $10 or less |