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HB 217

Property Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Veterans

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ryan Chamberlin and 2 co-sponsors

Florida bill to exempt surviving spouses of veterans from property taxes died in committee after facing budget concerns from fiscal impacts on state and local revenues.

Died in Ways & Means Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 217

Legislative bill overview

HB 217 would provide a property tax exemption to surviving spouses of veterans in Florida. The bill was referred to committee in February 2025 but died in the Ways & Means Committee in June 2025 after being indefinitely postponed in May.

Why is this important

Property tax exemptions directly reduce the tax burden on eligible homeowners, potentially providing meaningful financial relief to surviving spouses who may be living on fixed incomes. The fiscal impact on state and local government revenues depends on how many surviving spouses would qualify and the total property values involved.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal cost: Tax exemptions reduce revenue for schools, counties, and municipalities, requiring either budget cuts elsewhere or tax increases on other property owners
  • Eligibility scope: Questions about how "veteran" and "surviving spouse" would be defined (service-connected vs. any discharge status, remarriage restrictions, etc.)
  • Equity concerns: Critics may argue exemptions benefit some taxpayers while shifting burden to others, or question whether this group has greater need than other exempt categories (elderly, disabled, etc.)

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

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