Florida’s Property Tax Shake-Up: Big Ideas, Big Uncertainty as Session Nears Finale

The House’s Big Swing: Eliminating Most Property Taxes on Primary Homes

The House plan aims to eliminate all non-school property taxes for Floridians’ primary residences, pending voter approval on the 2026 ballot. Speaker Danny Perez admitted the road ahead may be rocky:

“What happens in the days ahead will decide if we will be here another three weeks or another three months,” he said during a pre-vote speech.

The effort was guided by Rep. Toby Overdorf, who acknowledged the pressure of the ticking legislative clock:

“So, we still have three weeks technically left in session, and we’ll see what happens with our partners across the rotunda.”

The Senate Pumps the Brakes

Senate President Ben Albritton made it clear the upper chamber isn’t ready to rubber-stamp the House’s plan. Instead, he says the Senate is working with the governor to craft a version with wider support.

“At the end of the day, what we’re looking for… is something to build consensus around,” Albritton noted.

Gov. DeSantis has publicly suggested going even further by eliminating homestead taxes entirely, though details are still sparse. In a CNBC appearance, he reaffirmed his push to get something on the 2026 ballot requiring 60% voter approval.

Democrats Sound the Alarm

Opposition has come loudest from Democrats who argue the proposals — especially the House version — could gut local budgets and force municipalities to rely more heavily on state funding.

House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell warned the move could create “welfare counties” unable to support themselves. Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman echoed the concern, saying Democrats have seen “no concrete alternative” and that she opposes the House plan outright.

The Bigger Picture: A Legislature Under Pressure

Property taxes aren’t the only item on lawmakers’ plates. The session has been packed with debates over artificial intelligence rules, firearm legislation, rural infrastructure, and the looming state budget.

So far, only seven bills have made it to the governor’s desk — a sign of how much work remains and how tightly packed the final weeks will be.