Summary of HB 215: Ad Valorem Taxation

Bill Number: HB 215

Introduced: October 16, 2025

Status: Added to Select Committee on Property Taxes agenda

Sponsor: Albert

Subject: Taxation and Finance

Purpose and Intent

HB 215 aims to amend existing laws related to ad valorem taxation in Florida, specifically focusing on the portability of the Save Our Homes benefit for married couples and the voting requirements for local governments to increase millage rates. The bill seeks to enhance tax benefits for married homeowners while ensuring that local governments maintain a higher threshold for tax increases.

Key Provisions

1. Save Our Homes Portability Benefit:

   • The bill allows accrued Save Our Homes benefits (the difference between assessed value and fair market value) to be transferred to a new joint homestead established by married couples.
   • This transfer can occur within three years of marriage and is subject to a maximum limit of $500,000.

2. Millage Rate Increase Voting Requirement:

   • A two-thirds vote from the governing body of a county, municipality, or independent special district is required to approve any increase in the prior year's adopted millage rate.
   • This requirement applies unless a higher voting threshold is already mandated by existing law.

3. Emergency Rulemaking Authority:

   • The bill grants the Florida Department of Revenue the authority to adopt emergency rules to implement the changes, effective upon the bill becoming law, with an expiration date of July 1, 2028.

Affected Parties

• Homeowners: Married couples who own homestead properties will benefit from the ability to transfer their Save Our Homes benefits, potentially reducing their property tax burden when moving to a new home.
• Local Governments: The new voting requirement for millage rate increases may limit their ability to raise property taxes without significant consensus among governing members.

Fiscal Impact

• The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) projects a negative cash impact of $44.5 million on local property tax revenues for FY 2027-28, with $16.4 million affecting schools and $28.1 million affecting non-school revenues.
• The recurring impact is estimated at $112.6 million for the same fiscal year, with $41.5 million for schools and $71.1 million for non-school revenues.

Timeline

• Effective Date: The provisions of the bill will take effect on January 1, 2027, and will first apply to the 2027 ad valorem tax roll.

Legislative Actions

• October 16, 2025: Bill filed and referred to the Select Committee on Property Taxes, State Affairs Committee, and Ways & Means Committee.
• November 13, 2025: Added to the agenda of the Select Committee on Property Taxes.

This summary provides an overview of HB 215, highlighting its main objectives, provisions, and potential impacts on homeowners and local governments in Florida.