Overview
- Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced a special legislative session that begins Monday to ask lawmakers to put a constitutional amendment before voters to sharply expand the homestead exemption.
- DeSantis publicly said the plan would raise the homestead exemption to $250,000 immediately and direct the Legislature to pursue a path toward $500,000, but filed Senate Joint Resolution 2F instead phases increases to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 and does not mention a $500,000 cap.
- The measure would limit remaining property-tax revenue to defined “core services” and create a state trust fund to help local governments, though the language for those protections and how much state aid would cover lost revenue are not yet specified.
- Placing the amendment on the ballot requires 60% approval in both chambers and, if approved by lawmakers, would then need at least 60% of voters in November to amend the constitution.
- Local officials, education and county groups warn the proposal could strip billions from school and municipal budgets and force cuts, fee increases or tax shifts, while supporters say it would give major relief to most homeowners and slow assessment growth on non-homestead properties.