Overview
- Nearly a dozen property-tax relief bills are active as the session opens, with four advancing through a House committee toward possible placement on the November ballot.
- Current proposals include eliminating certain non-school property taxes for homesteads, a $100,000 exemption tied to having property insurance, and expanded Save-Our-Homes portability.
- A separate idea under discussion would raise the homestead exemption to $200,000 for insured owners while shielding school budgets and limiting effects on police and fire services.
- Local officials say the changes could strip billions from core services, citing St. Petersburg’s reliance on property taxes for most public safety costs and a Florida League of Cities estimate of roughly $8 billion a year.
- Any overhaul would require a constitutional amendment with at least 60% voter approval, with legislative leaders eyeing August to finalize ballot language and signaling potential special sessions to finish the work.