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HJR 1F

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

2026 Special Session F Introduced by Toby Overdorf

Raises homestead exemptions and caps annual assessment growth, reshaping property taxes while creating a state fund and residency rules to implement the changes.

Signed by Officers and filed with Secretary of State
#concurrent) #constitutionalamendments
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Bill Summary · HJR 1F

Overview

  • Bill: HJR 1F (2026F) – Florida
  • Type: Joint Resolution proposing amendments to the Florida Constitution
  • Purpose: Create a comprehensive “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” package
  • Key effect: Substantially reshape property tax assessment rules, increase homestead exemptions, impose new constraints on local government revenue use, and establish a state trust fund to support implementation. Includes a residency requirement and potential revenue provisions to offset lost tax revenue.
  • Effective date: Proposed to take effect January 1, 2027 (with various provisions phased in over next years)
  • Ballot: To be placed before voters at the next general election or an authorized special election

What the bill would do

1) Raise the homestead exemption and change assessment limits (Article VII, Sections 4 and 6)

  • Establishes a system of limited growth in assessed value for homesteaded properties:
    • For homesteads, annual assessment increases would be capped at the lesser of:
    • 3% or
    • the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) for the preceding year
  • New and existing homesteads would be taxed at just value, with the cap applying year-by-year.
  • Special provisions address ownership changes, new homesteads, improvements, and termination of homestead status, ensuring ongoing application of the cap.
  • Creates an optional special treatment for properties used in conservation or wind-resistance improvements (excluded factors in assessment calculations if enacted by general law).
  • Creates a framework for adjustments to assessment rules over time, including severability.

2) Expanded homestead exemption amounts (Article VII, Section 6)

  • For homestead exemptions:
    • Before 2027: Up to 25,000 bias exemption, plus additional exemption amounts (up to 75,000) for non-school levies on higher ranges.
    • Beginning 2027: Up to 150,000 exemption.
    • Beginning 2028: Up to 250,000 exemption.
  • For individuals establishing a new homestead after 2027 who previously did not reside in Florida, phased-in exemptions start:
    • Initial exemption amounts: 25,000 for school levies; 50,000 for non-school levies.
    • Over time, 5-year ramp and inflation-adjusted increases to exemptions.
  • Inflation adjustments:
    • 25,000 exemption amounts (non-school components) adjusted annually for inflation starting 2029.
    • Other exemption components adjusted annually for inflation starting 2028 where specified.
  • Residency requirement for new homesteaders: To receive the enhanced exemption, a person must establish Florida residency and maintain it for a five-year period.
  • Exemption cap: Not more than one exemption per individual or residential unit; exemptions tied to the property’s value.
  • Expanded exemptions for seniors (65+), with income thresholds, and for certain long-term residents with low income (two possible tiers: up to 50,000 or a percentage-based exemption tied to property value).
  • Veterans’ exemptions: 65+ veterans with service-related disabilities receive a discount on the ad valorem tax proportional to disability rating; survivors and certain first responders may receive related relief or transfers to a new homestead if the property changes.

3) Local tax limitations and targeted uses (Article VII, Section 9)

  • Reaffirms local governments’ authority to levy ad valorem taxes for core services but imposes explicit caps on millage rates:
    • Maximum millage limits for counties, municipalities, and school districts: 10 mills each (with minor locality-specific exceptions for water management and special districts).
    • Allows limited additional millage if approved by voters for certain purposes and subject to statutory provisions.
  • Requires local tax revenues to be used for core public services (public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resources, debt service, and retirement benefits).
  • Establishes a framework for “supplemental funding” to cover shortfalls or to support public safety services if amendments to the constitution constrain local funding.

4) Creation of a state trust fund (Article XII; Schedule)

  • Creates a state trust fund to provide grants to local governments for implementing the amendments and funding core local services, such as education, law enforcement, and infrastructure.
  • Requires the legislature to create and fund this trust fund to support implementation.

5) Residency disclosure and anti-fraud measures (HJR 1F amendment package)

  • Adds a residency verification requirement for homestead eligibility:
    • Requires disclosure of whether applicants own property outside Florida or have beneficial ownership outside Florida, or are listed on out-of-state deeds.
    • Penalties for providing false information to county appraisers.
  • Effective January 1, 2027 for residency provisions; sunset or renewal provisions may apply per amendments.

Who is affected

  • Florida homeowners with homestead property:
    • Expanded exemptions (especially for seniors and long-term residents)
    • New residency requirements for enhanced exemptions
    • Limits on annual assessment increases on homestead properties
  • Non-homestead property owners and residential properties not subject to homestead limits:
    • Subject to new assessment caps and possible inflation-based changes depending on subtype and law
  • Local governments (counties, municipalities, school districts, special districts):
    • Changes to how revenue can be raised and spent
    • Potential need to fund public safety, libraries, and infrastructure under new requirements
    • Access to state trust fund grants for implementation
  • Veterans and first responders:
    • Expanded or new relief options consistent with the amendments
  • Renters:
    • Potential ad valorem relief options (as determined by general law)

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Effective date proposed: January 1, 2027 for core amendments; several provisions staged over 2027-2029+.
  • Ballot: Requires voter approval at the next general election or an authorized special election.
  • Trust fund: Legislature would be required to establish a trust fund to support implementation.
  • Supporting amendments and alternative amendments exist (various committee amendments):
    • Some amendments propose different focuses (e.g., emphasis on public libraries, public safety funding, sunset provisions, and revenue-replacement mechanisms).
  • Revenue replacement options:
    • Several amendments include provisions to replace lost revenue with a tax on billionaires or individuals with assets exceeding $500 million, should those revenue assumptions fail to materialize. These replacement mechanisms are subject to legislative agreement and ballot amendments.

Key considerations for readers

  • The package aims to dramatically increase homestead exemptions and cap property value increases, which would reduce property tax burdens on primary residences but shift how local services are funded.
  • It creates a state-funded trust to aid local governments in implementing the changes and preserving core services.
  • It introduces residency verification to prevent “migrating” residents from exploiting exemptions.
  • Several amendments contemplate revenue-replacement mechanisms if anticipated tax revenue declines occur.

If you’d like, I can extract a plain-language summary of each provision or map out how the changes would interact with a hypothetical homeowner’s tax bill.

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

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