Local Business Taxes (LBT)

On Tuesday, December 9, the Senate Community Affairs Committee passed SB 122 (Truenow) by a vote of 5-1. This was the bill’s first committee hearing. SB 122 has two remaining committee stops and will next be heard by the Senate Finance and Tax Committee.

Please thank Senator Barbara Sharief (D-35) for voting “No” on the bill.

Click here to watch the committee meeting. Consideration of SB 122 is the first bill on the agenda.

This morning, December 10, the House Ways & Means Committee passed SB 122's House companion, HB 103 (Botana), by a vote of 11-6.

Please thank Representatives David Smith (R-38), Jose Alvarez (D-46), Robin Bartleman (D-103), Anna Eskamani (D-42), Michele Rayner (D-62), and Kelly Skidmore (D-92) for their thoughtful questions, comments, and for voting “No” on HB 103.

Click here to watch the committee meeting. Consideration of HB 103 begins at 6:36.

Both bills would repeal Chapter 205, Florida Statutes, eliminating the authority for local governments to levy an LBT. The only exception allows local governments that base their LBT on gross sales receipts to continue collection.

Property Taxes

The House Ways & Means Committee also passed CS/HJR 209 (Busatta) by a vote of 10-5.

This proposed joint resolution would provide an additional $200,000 non-school homestead exemption for homeowners who maintain property insurance. The bill was amended to broaden the prohibition on funding reductions. It now prohibits decreases in funding for law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders as provided by general law. The bill now heads to the House floor, where it is expected to pass the full House in the first week of the 2026 Legislative Session. There is currently no Senate companion bill.

Special thanks to the city officials who came to Tallahassee to testify on the bill:

• Mayor Karen Chasez, DeBary
• Commissioner Karen Rafferty, Belleair Bluffs

Click here to watch the committee meeting. Consideration of CS/HJR 209 begins at 38:31.

We’ll continue to keep you updated as these issues develop.

Please contact Charles Chapman with any questions.