Floridians may soon feel some relief as state lawmakers advance a measure that would eliminate most local property taxes on homes.
The House approved a constitutional amendment that would do away with non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties. The measure would take effect starting in 2027 if it passes.
The amendment would need three-fifths support in both chambers of Florida’s state legislature and the approval of at least 60 percent of voters in a ballot initiative.
The House voted 80-30 along party lines to advance House Joint Resolution 203. Every Republican lawmaker voted in favor of the amendment and every Democrat opposed it.
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez called the vote “historic” and said the lower chamber is fulfilling promises to deliver tax relief.
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From WLRN:
The chances of Floridians actually voting on the amendment are long, however. The Florida Senate has yet to propose any bill during this legislative session addressing property taxes. Joint resolutions can only be placed on the ballot if they are approved by a three-fifths majority in both the House and Senate. It does not need the approval of the governor.
The proposal introduced Thursday by Rep. Monique Miller, R-Palm Bay, was dramatically amended from her initial proposal (HJR 203), which would have gradually increased the homestead exemption for non-school-related property taxes by $100,000 each year for 10 years, beginning on Jan. 1 — if it were to actually get on the ballot this November and receive 60% support.
“After looking at the numbers, it became incredibly clear that we have the ability to do this without putting undue burdens on local government, and I believe that it can be done,” Miller told the chamber.
The state’s Revenue Estimating Conference has estimated that HJR 203 would cost local governments $13.3 billion annually. The House’s staff analysis estimates that approval of the amendment would have a negative cash impact of $4.8 billion and a negative recurring impact of $14.7 billion on local non-school property tax revenues in Fiscal Year 2027-28.
🚨 BREAKING: The Florida State House just voted for a constitutional amendment ABOLISHING all non-school property taxes for Florida homeowners
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 19, 2026
It would be placed on the ballot for Florida voters in 2026 if approved by the Senate.
Vote: 80-30 pic.twitter.com/BbtX71Kzfs
Perez called the measure “the most aggressive legislation ever passed by a legislative chamber on property taxes in the history of the United States.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who supports property tax relief, told state lawmakers “it’s better to do it right than do it quick!”
Regarding a property tax proposal for the 2026 ballot: we’ve been working with members of the Senate who have been great partners.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) February 19, 2026
Given that it can’t be voted on by the people before November, it’s better to do it right than do it quick!
However, state Rep. Christine Hunschofsky slammed the proposal, saying “It is defunding the police, and it is defunding the fire department” and claimed local governments cannot take the multibillion-dollar hit.
Polling suggests Floridians like the idea of eliminating property taxes, but are divided over how far tax relief should go. A University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab survey revealed that 49 percent of respondents said they strongly or somewhat supported getting rid of property taxes for homeowners while 43 percent opposed it.
The James Madison Institute conducted a survey revealing that 65 percent of Florida voters approved of eliminating or reducing property taxes.
