House Property Tax Bills Up Thursday in Committees

On Thursday, January 22, at 8:00 a.m., CS/HJR 203 (Miller) will be considered by the House Ways & Means Committee.

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.

Click here to view the letter FLC sent to the Committee.

Also on Thursday, HJR 213 (Griffitts) will be considered by the House State Affairs Committee at 10:30 a.m.

HJR 213 slows the growth in the assessed value of non-school homestead property taxes to 3% over three years for homestead property (currently at 3% per year) and 15% over three years for non-homestead property (currently at 10% per year). The projected fiscal impact is over $5 billion recurring for cities and counties. An amendment has been filed to expand prohibited reductions to include fire and EMS.

Click here to view the letter FLC sent to the Committee.

The bills are likely to pass their committees, but it's important to continue educating your legislators about how these property tax proposals will impact your city as these bills get closer to a House vote.

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 provisions that prohibit reductions in law enforcement budgets in this bill would crowd out other essential services, such as fire protection, emergency medical response, and disaster preparedness, 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. (The amendment to HJR 213 would expand prohibited reductions to include fire and EMS, leaving other essential services vulnerable.)
• 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 committee meetings. 

Please contact Charles Chapman with any questions.