Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed two bills aimed at limiting local property tax increases and increasing financial transparency requirements for counties and municipalities.
The measures, Senate Bill 4-F and House Bill 1329, are part of the administration’s broader push to reduce property tax burdens and place additional scrutiny on local government spending.
SB 4-F changes how local governments calculate the maximum property tax rate they may approve with a simple majority vote. Under current law, local governments may increase the rolled-back rate based on growth in Florida’s per-capita personal income. The bill removes that adjustment and generally limits the maximum levy to the standard rolled-back rate.
Local governments seeking to exceed that rate would face higher approval thresholds. Millage rates up to 110 percent of the rolled-back rate would require a two-thirds vote of the governing body, while rates above that level would require unanimous approval, a three-fourths vote for larger boards or approval by voters through a referendum.
The bill also serves as the implementation measure for the proposed constitutional amendment known as “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes,” which is expected to appear before voters in November 2026.
HB 1329, titled the Local Government Financial Transparency and Accountability Act, requires counties and municipalities to post more detailed financial information online, including budget summaries, revenues, expenditures, staffing information, reserve levels and fund balances.
The bill also requires quarterly employee compensation reports and annual budget development calendars. Before adopting a final budget, local governments must conduct a budget reduction exercise identifying ways to reduce proposed spending by 10 percent without affecting essential services such as law enforcement and fire protection.
“Florida has reduced its budget for four straight years and has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and respect for taxpayers,” said Gov. DeSantis. “Now, we are stepping in to protect taxpayers from taxes at the local level.”
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia added that “Local governments have continued to grow their budgets by resorting to scare tactics like threatening cuts to essential services. This pivotal piece of legislation pulls the curtain back on local government’s wasteful spending so that Floridians are better equipped to hold their local officials accountable. Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for signing this bill and ensuring that local governments are good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”
