Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez on Thursday outlined a package of proposed constitutional amendments aimed at reforming the state’s property tax structure, signaling that lawmakers will advance multiple competing measures to give voters a direct say in 2026.
In a memorandum to members, Perez said the effort builds on last session’s work to use Tourist Development Tax revenue for permanent property tax reductions and continues through the Select Committee on Property Taxes.
“If we have faith in the voters to elect us, we should not be afraid to let them be a part of the conversation about the taxes they pay,” Perez said, adding that the House will not limit itself to a single proposal but will instead allow voters to consider multiple options on the 2026 ballot.
Each measure includes two core provisions: one prohibiting any affected government entity from reducing funding for law enforcement, and another exempting school taxes, which account for roughly 46 percent of education funding, or about $21 billion.
None of the resolutions will have accompanying implementing legislation until voters decide which approach to adopt, Perez said, allowing the Legislature to design a statutory framework afterward.
Among the proposals, HJR 201 by Rep. Kevin Steele would eliminate non-school homestead property taxes altogether, while HJR 203 by Rep. Monique Miller phases them out over ten years through incremental $100,000 exemptions. HJR 205 by Rep. Juan Carlos Porras would exempt Floridians over age 65 from paying such taxes entirely.
Two others expand exemptions. HJR 207 by Rep. Shane Abbott creates a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes equal to 25 percent of a home’s assessed value, extending benefits to first-time buyers. HJR 209 by Rep. Nick Busatta establishes a $100,000 exemption for insured homeowners as property insurance relief.
HJR 211 by Rep. Toby Overdorf removes the cap on transferring Save Our Homes benefits to a new property, HJR 213 by Rep. Philip Griffitts limits growth in assessed value for non-school property taxes to 3 percent for homesteads and 15 percent for non-homestead properties over three years, and HB 215 by Rep. Jon Albert makes complementary statutory changes, requiring a two-thirds vote for any millage rate increase and permitting newly married couples to combine their Save Our Homes benefits.
