TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Among the over 200 bills approved by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis last year, one in particular earned his veto.
While he’s certainly used his veto power in the past, this one may come off as strange for those who follow the governor’s policies, as it dealt with property taxes.
More specifically, the bill — HB 7031 — dealt with several tax issues, such as repealing the business rent tax and creating a handful of new sales tax exemptions on hurricane prep goods.
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But one provision of HB 7031 would have set up a study on property taxes in the state, looking into the potential impacts of cutting homestead property taxes — a move that DeSantis has been vocal about in recent years.
In all, the study would have cost the state $1 million, though DeSantis ultimately vetoed that specific portion of the bill. He later released a letter explaining his decision:
“Property tax relief is a top priority of my Administration, but additional resources are not needed for the Office of Economic and Demographic Research to study the state’s property tax structure. We have all the information we need to enact historic property tax relief; it is now a matter of political will.
For these reasons, the $1,000,000 General Revenue appropriation and related qualification in House Bill 7031 is hereby vetoed, and I hereby approve the remainder of the Act."
Gov. Ron DeSantis (June 30, 2025)
Since then, significant progress has been made in DeSantis’ crusade for property tax cuts in Florida.
Just this week, state lawmakers approved an amendment that will cut down on homestead property taxes — but only if it’s OK’ed by voters later this year.
The amendment — HJR 1F — proposes several changes to the state Constitution, primarily to set up that new homestead exemption for Florida residents.
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The new provisions are as follows:
- Homestead Exemptions: Homesteads will be exempted from non-school taxes only for the first $150,000 of assessed value in 2027. This grows to $250,000 in 2028 and thereafter.
- Residency Rules: Homesteads of owners who aren’t permanent Florida residents get an exemption on the first $50,000 of assessed value. These owners receive the same exemption as permanent residents after five years, though.
- Property Assessments: Reduces the non-homestead property assessment increase limitation from 10% to 5% per year.
- Spending Limitations: Limits the use of ad valorem revenue by local governments to the following:
- Public safety, including law enforcement, EMS and fire services
- Education and public schools
- Infrastructure, including roads, bridges and stormwater controls
- Natural resource projects, including flood control measures
- Issue local bonds for approved uses or to make debt service payments
- Meet obligations and retirement benefits of local government employees
- Fund the operations and administration of county officers and commissioners
As with any other proposed Legislative amendment, HJR 1F will need at least 60% support from voters after it goes on the ballot for the general election in November.