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HJR 1257

Property Tax Benefits for Residential Properties

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Demi Busatta and 1 co-sponsor

Would authorize extending certain homestead-like tax benefits to long-term leased residential properties owned by Florida homestead owners, via general law.

Died in Rules
#(adopted) #constitutionalamendments
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Bill Summary · HJR 1257

Summary — HJR 1257: Property Tax Benefits for Residential Properties

Status: Died in Rules (June 16, 2025)
Introduced: February 26, 2025
Type: Joint resolution (proposed constitutional amendment)
Ballot requirement: 60% voter approval (if advanced)
Effective date if approved by voters: January 1, 2027 (first applies to 2027 tax roll)

Purpose / Intent

HJR 1257 would amend Article VII of the Florida Constitution to authorize the Legislature to extend certain homestead-like property tax benefits to specified non‑homestead residential properties that are subject to long‑term leases, and (in a later committee substitute) to create a temporary additional homestead exemption for certain new homesteaders. The resolution is a constitutional authorization — it would permit the Legislature to enact implementing statutes but is not self‑executing.

Key provisions

  1. Long‑term leased residential properties

    • The Constitution would authorize the Legislature, by general law, to grant specified ad valorem tax benefits to residential property that:
      • Is under a residential lease of at least six months on January 1 of each year;
      • Is owned by a person who also owns a homestead in Florida; and
      • Could qualify as the owner’s homestead if it were the owner’s primary residence.
    • Authorized benefits (by general law) may include:
      • Exemptions mirroring current homestead tiers: an exemption on value between $0 and $25,000 for all levies, and an additional exemption on value between $50,000 and $75,000 for all levies except school district levies.
      • An assessment increase cap equal to the lesser of 3% or the annual percent change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
      • Rules allowing accumulated assessment/exemption benefits to carry forward if the property’s classification changes among qualifying nonhomestead, nonqualifying nonhomestead, and homestead status.

  2. Temporary additional homestead exemption (added in later committee substitute)

    • Individuals who establish a homestead and have not received a homestead exemption in the previous three calendar years would be eligible for a temporary additional exemption:
      • Equal to 50% of the just value of the homestead on Jan 1 of the year the homestead is established, capped at the county median just value for homesteads.
      • Applies only to non‑school property taxes.
      • Phases out by 20% each year (expires after five years).

Who would be affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: owners of residential properties that meet the long‑term lease and ownership/homestead relationship criteria (e.g., owners who rent out a secondary residence long‑term while maintaining a Florida homestead).
  • Local governments and school districts: potential tax base effects depend on whether the Legislature enacts implementing laws and how broadly benefits are applied. The resolution itself is not self‑executing.
  • Prospective first‑time (or returning) homesteaders could be affected by the temporary additional exemption if that provision were enacted.

Fiscal impact

  • The Revenue Estimating Conference indicated the joint resolution has no direct impact on state or local revenues because the constitutional change is not self‑executing. A later committee report noted the conference had not estimated fiscal impacts for the final substitute. Actual revenue effects would depend on legislative implementing statutes and their scope.

Legislative history / procedural notes

  • Referred to multiple committees (Ways & Means; Housing, Agriculture & Tourism; Commerce). Committee substitutes were adopted in stages.
  • Passed the House (third reading) on April 25, 2025 (YEAS 80, NAYS 28).
  • Subsequently placed in Rules and was indefinitely postponed/withdrawn (May 3, 2025) and ultimately died in Rules on June 16, 2025.
  • If resurrected and approved by the Legislature and then by voters (60% required), the changes would take effect Jan 1, 2027.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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