TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Voters could get the possibility to weigh in on eliminating property taxes within the 2026 election. State lawmakers met for the primary time in a brand new choose committee to debate property tax aid.
“This course of is just not about ego or delight of authorship or credit score. That is about bringing the perfect proposals earlier than the individuals of Florida in order that they’ve a chance to resolve their very own destiny,” mentioned Home Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami).
As lawmakers head into an prolonged session for Could, they won’t solely be negotiating the state’s price range, however property taxes may be a spotlight level for a lot of on the statehouse.
“This property stuff must be addressed,” mentioned Gov. Ron DeSantis when he introduced his plans for tax aid.
Property taxes are on the middle of debate between the governor, Home, and Senate management.
“A number of months in the past, Gov. DeSantis launched the thrilling and provocative thought of abolishing property taxes in Florida,” mentioned Speaker Perez.
Speaker Perez known as out DeSantis for placing the problem of property taxes on the desk, however no coverage or plan to hold it out.
Nonetheless, in DeSantis’ proposal to get rid of property taxes, he mentioned it might save $1,000 for homestead householders within the Sunshine State.
However Speaker Perez needs to take issues into his personal palms with a brand new choose Home Committee to dive deeper into the matter.
“I anticipate this choose committee to dive deep to ask the laborious questions and to take heed to the critics and get artistic,” mentioned Speaker Perez.
Committee members already met for the primary time Friday, Could 2, discussing 5 proposals for property tax reform, all of which would require a constitutional modification.
“We have now a lot to do in such little or no time,” mentioned State Rep. Vicki Lopez, co-chair of the choose committee.
Home Speaker Perez shared data on every proposal to date:
- Requiring each metropolis, county and particular district to carry a referendum on the elimination of homestead property taxes.
This could permit the taxpayers and the taxing authorities to have an open and trustworthy dialog about what companies they’re receiving for his or her taxes and whether or not they want to proceed to pay these taxes. In america of America, no taxes needs to be levied except the individuals select to permit themselves to be taxed.
- Creating a brand new $500,000 homestead property tax exemption for non-school property taxes. That $500,000 exemption can be elevated to $1,000,000 for householders who’re over 65 years of age or who’ve had a homestead in Florida for over 30 years.
This proposal would offer expansive, broad-based property tax aid for working- and middle-class Floridians and supply enhanced protections for our seniors and long-term householders.
- Authorizing the State Legislature to lift the quantity of the homestead exemption by state statute.
This transformation would permit them to handle points associated to property taxes with out having to go to the poll.
- Enhancing Florida’s evaluation limitation caps for homestead and non-homestead properties. We might change the homestead evaluation cap from 3% per yr to three% each three years. For non-homestead assessments, we’d modify the cap from 10% per yr to fifteen% each three years.
This proposal wouldn’t solely present Floridians with stability of their tax funds, however it might additionally considerably sluggish the expansion of native authorities revenues and spending.
- Prohibit the federal government from foreclosing on a homestead property for unpaid taxes.
One of many cornerstones of housing coverage in Florida has been the sanctity of the homestead. This transformation would put the federal government on the identical footing as non-public sector collectors and be certain that the federal government can not kick any Floridian out of their house on account of their lack of ability to pay a tax.
“I believe now we have to be actually cautiously optimistic about efforts to cut back the tax burden. We’re additionally realizing the tip of the day, that our constituents wanna see responsive police, they wanna see responsive fighters, they wish to see high-quality public training and highway enchancment. How do you pay for that?” mentioned State Consultant Anna V. Eskamani (D-Orlando).
The 5 proposals are simply the start line for lawmakers. Nothing is ready in stone.
The committee will collect information all through the spring, summer season, and fall, to then introduce a Home Joint Decision or a number of resolutions that can be heard in week one initially of the subsequent session.
Speaker Perez mentioned he intends to cross the Home Property Tax plan within the first week of session within the new yr after which head to the 2026 November poll.
