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Senate committee trims and advances proposed homestead exemption changes and implementing bill
Summary
The committee adopted amendments narrowing a proposed constitutional amendment and its implementing bill that would extend homestead-like protections and assessment limits to certain long-term leased properties, and reported both measures favorably after testimony from local government groups urging caution about fiscal effects.
The Senate Finance and Tax Committee on Thursday considered SGR 15-10, a proposed constitutional amendment on homestead property exemptions and annual assessment limits for certain long-term leased property, and its implementing bill SB 1512. Sponsor Senator Avila offered amendments that substantially narrowed the scope before the committee adopted the amendments and reported both measures favorably.
The primary amendment clarified that only properties leased for six months or longer would be eligible to exempt up to $50,000 of assessed value and to have annual assessment growth limited to no more than 3% per year. The measure was further amended to limit the exemption to a single qualifying property per person and to limit eligible property types to single-family homes, mobile homes and condominium units. The amendment also added a requirement that a property otherwise be eligible for a homestead exemption if it were the owner’s primary residence.
Jeff Scala of the Florida Association of Counties and Charles Chapman of the Florida League of Cities filed appearance forms and said they opposed the measures in their current form because of concerns about tax shifting and potential fiscal impacts; both groups said they appreciated the sponsor’s amendments but remained wary of the expansion of exemptions into rental property and the resulting tax shifts to other taxpayers.
Sponsor Avila said the changes “dramatically” reduced the scope from the original draft and that the committee and House counterparts would continue to refine the measures. After debate, the committee adopted the amendments, and by roll call reported CS for SGR 15-10 and CS for SB 1512 favorably.
The committee record does not include a final fiscal impact estimate in the hearing transcript; local government representatives urged additional analysis and consultation as the bills move forward.
