Florida House Advances Proposed Property-Tax Exemption Linked to Property Insurance

The Florida House Ways & Means Committee has approved a proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 209) to increase homestead property-tax exemptions for residents who maintain property insurance. The measure, supported along party lines, aims to extend exemptions on assessed home values between $25,000 and $250,000, though it will exclude school taxes. Sponsor Demi Busatta emphasized the amendment as a response to statewide feedback amidst ongoing property insurance issues. Opponents, mainly Democrats, caution that the amendment could severely reduce funding for essential municipal services and environmental protections, shifting tax obligations to other sources without addressing the root causes of rising property insurance costs. The Florida League of Cities highlighted concerns that without viable revenue replacement strategies, local governments could face significant budget shortfalls. Financial projections from the state Revenue Estimating Conference indicate the proposal could decrease local government revenues by approximately $8.6 billion annually. Several other related property tax amendment proposals aiming to cut non-school homestead taxes or benefit seniors have also been advanced in the Florida legislature ahead of the 2026 session. Governor Ron DeSantis has prioritized property tax reduction but advocates for a consolidated single proposal rather than multiple amendments. The Florida Senate is currently reviewing these varied proposals cautiously, with Senate President Ben Albritton stressing the necessity of ensuring essential services like emergency response remain reliably funded. The proposed amendments face voter approval requirements of at least 60% in the upcoming November election. The dialogue around these tax changes reflects broader concerns over balancing property tax relief with sustainable municipal finance and service provision in Florida's growing communities.