(The Center Square) – Lawmakers in the Florida Legislature are considering adding initiatives to the ballot that could help homeowners reduce their property taxes and help defray personal property taxes on agricultural equipment.
House Joint Resolution 1257 and Senate Joint Resolution 1510 are similar bills that would accomplish one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ policy priorities of property tax relief via ballot initiative.
Both bills would allow voters to decide whether lawmakers can provide two $25,000 ad valorem tax exemptions and limit the increase in annual assessments to the lesser of 3% of the assessment for the prior year or the percent change in the consumer price index.
This would apply to property under a residential lease of at least six months, is owned by a person with another homestead in the state and could qualify as a homestead property if it is a primary residence.
HJR1257 passed the House 80-28 on Friday. SJR1510 is now with the Senate Finance and Tax Committee.
SJR174 would place an initiative on the ballot that would authorize the Legislature to prohibit the consideration of any flood damage mitigation measures in determining the assessed value of the property. It is on the Senate calendar for a floor vote after being unanimously approved by the Appropriations Committee on April 17.
SJR318, which is sponsored by Sen. Keith Truenow, R-Tavares, would exempt personal property that is either located or present on land that is classified as agricultural, used in the production of agricultural products or used agritourism activities and owned by the landowner or leaseholder. It was passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday and is now on the Senate calendar.
An identical bill, HJR1215, was passed by the House 110-1 on Friday.
When asked by Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, about what constituted personal property under the measure, Truenow said on Wednesday that this included agricultural equipment, planning equipment, tractors and wagons.
Local governments under the state constitution are allowed to levy property taxes on personal property for owners whom have a proprietorship, partnership, corporation or is a self-employed agent or contractor or leases or rents property used for business purposes.
If passed by the House and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the property tax measures would appear on the November 2026 ballot and would require 60% of the vote to be added to the state’s constitution.
