‘Eliminate them:’ Florida property tax cuts just got closer to becoming real

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – This week, four proposed constitutional amendments aimed at property tax reform in Florida took another step toward becoming law.

These proposals — all filed in October — went before the House’s Republican-majority State Affairs Committee on Tuesday, with lawmakers ultimately voting to approve each of them.

All of the proposed amendments aim to slash property taxes for homeowners, largely by direct exemptions. For example, HJR 201 pushes to exempt all homesteads from non-school property taxes.

However, a common feature among them is that they all prohibit local governments from cutting law enforcement budgets simply due to lower property tax revenue.

In addition, state Rep. Tobin Overdorf, the chairman of the House Select Committee on Property Taxes, said these proposals wouldn’t impact school funding.

The four proposals approved on Tuesday include the following:

HJR 201 — Eliminating Property Taxes

House Joint Resolution 201 would establish a homestead exemption for all non-school property taxes.

In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.

HJR 205 — Property Tax Exemptions (Seniors)

House Joint Resolution 205 would exempt residents ages 65 and over from paying non-school taxes on their homes.

In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.

HJR 209 — Property Insurance Relief

House Joint Resolution 209 increases homestead exemptions for non-school property taxes by $100,000.

However, this only applies if the property is subject to a comprehensive multiperil insurance policy.

In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.

HJR 211 — Accrued Tax Benefits

House Joint Resolution 211 would allow the full value of the accrued benefit from special limitations on homestead property tax assessments to be transferred to a new homestead for non-school levies.

In addition, the amendment would prohibit local governments from reducing their law enforcement funding.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been a vocal proponent of reducing property taxes in the state, calling on lawmakers earlier this year to put a constitutional measure on the ballot in 2026.

However, the governor has been critical of the House’s multiple proposals, instead pushing for a single, comprehensive amendment to avoid confusion.

Regardless, property taxes are a local issue, used to fund services like law enforcement and fire departments. As such, any action by the state would require an amendment, which needs support from 60% of voters in the next election to take effect.

In the meantime, the four proposed amendments are now slated to go before the Ways and Means Committee. Only HJR 209 is slated for consideration during the committee’s next meeting on Dec. 10.

But if all four proposals survive that committee, they will go to a full vote before the House.