House Property Tax Elimination Bill Up Thursday on House Floor

On Thursday, February 19, CS/CS/HJR 203 (Miller) will be considered by the full House of Representatives.

CS/CS/HJR 203 phases out non-school homestead property taxes over 10 years. Each year, homeowners would receive an additional $100,000 exemption. After ten years, all non-school homestead property taxes would be eliminated. The bill prohibits the reduction of first-responder budgets. The projected negative impact in 2030-31 is $13.3 billion recurring for cities and counties. If approved, all non-school homestead property would be terminated by 2037. FLC opposes this bill.

Click here to view the letter FLC sent to the bill sponsor.

Please contact Representatives and let them know how the elimination of property taxes will impact your city. Click here to view the contact list.

Key Talking Points:

• Property taxes fund core public safety and infrastructure, including police, fire, emergency response, roads, and utilities. These services make communities safe, insurable, and economically viable.
• Most cities have average taxable values of $250,000 or less. This is not a 10-year step down; it is much sooner for the majority of Florida cities.  
• The provision in the bill that prohibits reductions in first responder funding would crowd out other essential services, such as disaster preparedness, parks, roads, and infrastructure forcing cuts in areas that keep our communities resilient, if the city is even able to comply with the prohibition due to the loss of homestead property taxes.
• Florida consistently ranks among the best states for taxpayer return on investment, meaning residents receive strong public services for the taxes they pay. Local governments deliver disciplined, efficient spending even as costs rise, which is why Florida’s effective property tax rate is roughly half that of Texas. This balance of affordability and service is a competitive advantage worth protecting.
• Florida’s cities are partners in the state’s prosperity. We share your commitment to fiscal discipline, local accountability, and keeping Florida an affordable and secure place to live. However, this proposal would have the opposite effect by creating instability, increasing taxpayer inequity, and risking the quality of life across our communities. 

Click here to watch the House in session. 

Please contact Charles Chapman with any questions.