Local governments fear imposing major cuts in services if they lose property tax revenue.
Intent of Senate Bill 180 was altered to accomodate developers
State Rep. Fiona McFarland shared her thoughts on key state issues, including the intent of Senate Bill 180, when first drafted by lawmakers
- The Florida House is advancing four property tax cut bills despite concerns about potential cuts to local government services.
- One major proposal would ask voters in 2026 to eliminate non-school property taxes for homestead properties.
- Opponents, including local officials, worry the tax cuts could lead to reduced services like fire and emergency response.
The Florida House is moving forward with four property tax cut bills, over concerns from Democrats and local government officials they will result in drastic cuts in services.
House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, backed eight property tax cut bills but only half passed through the House State Affairs Committee Dec. 2.
Of the bills that passed, HJR 201, which would put a measure on the 2026 general election ballot to eliminate non-school property taxes for homestead properties, would cause the biggest hit to local governments’ coffers and save the most for homeowners who are permanent Florida residents.
State economists project the measure – if approved by 60% of voters – would cut taxes by $14.1 billion in the 2027–28 budget year, and $18 billion in future years.
For opponents of the bill, that’s too big a hit for many cities and counties, especially those in rural areas with a slim property tax base. Republican lawmakers and other supporters noted the bill and the three others keep taxes for K-12 schools and prohibit local governments from cutting police budgets.
The bills passed on partisan votes, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed. Trip Barrs, Treasure Island Fire Rescue Chief and President of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, asked lawmakers to include fire and emergency services in the part of the bill banning cuts to their budgets.
“Many emergency medical services and fire protection across the state is funded through property tax revenues,” Barrs told the committee. “If those revenues decline without an established alternative revenue source there will be a direct and unavoidable impact to service delivery. That looks like longer response times, possible staffing reductions and it will put lives unnecessarily at risk.”
Lawmakers to locals: Tighten your belts
Other bills that passed were measures to eliminate non-school property taxes for homestead properties owned by people 65 and older (HJR 205), eliminate non-school property taxes for those homestead residents with property insurance coverage (HJR 209) and removing the $500,000 cap transferring the benefit of the difference between the taxable value and the just value (or market value) to a new homestead (HJR 211).
Republicans supporting the bills pointed to the sharp increase in property taxes in the last five years, arguing local government leaders should be tightening their belts: “They should relish the opportunity to get in front of their voters and justify the services they are providing,” said Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville.
But Democrats on the panel grew frustrated with the lack of details in the bills.
Will inflation and population increases be factored in to police budget needs in future years? Could there be income requirements or a requirement to own a home for a period of time before getting the tax cut benefit?
Answers to those questions would be made in the implementing bills lawmakers would have to pass if voters approve the ballot measures, Republicans said. Democrats balked at that plan, and urged them to issue implementing bills in tandem with the ballot measures.
“This is the biggest, ‘bro’ just trust me,’ that I have ever seen in my life,” said Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami.
Although the bills have one more committee hearing before reaching the House floor, it’s still not clear what will eventually wind up on voters’ November 2026 ballots.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has prioritized major property tax cuts, has criticized the House approach, preferring one standalone ballot measure that exempts all property taxes for homestead properties. And the Senate hasn’t advanced any property tax cut bills yet ahead of the regular session, which begins Jan. 13.
“We are definitely not at the finish line by any means,” said Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City.
Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.