Florida Senate advances constitutional amendment to eliminate most residential property taxes

The Florida Senate has advanced a proposed constitutional amendment that would phase out most residential property taxes over six years, replacing the revenue with higher sales and other state-level taxes.

Legislative leaders are pushing to meet an early August deadline to place the measure on the November ballot. The proposal requires three-fifths approval in both the Senate and House before it can go before voters, according to the source material.

If approved by lawmakers and placed on the ballot, the amendment would need support from 60% of Florida voters to become part of the state constitution.

The proposed amendment represents a significant restructuring of how the state funds local government services. Property taxes currently serve as a primary revenue source for counties, municipalities, and school districts throughout Florida.

Under the proposal, the elimination of most residential property taxes would occur gradually over a six-year period. The lost revenue would be offset through increased sales taxes and other state-level tax mechanisms, though specific details of the replacement revenue sources were not provided in the source material.

The legislative timeline is compressed, with lawmakers working against the early August deadline to complete the approval process in both chambers. Both the Florida Senate and House of Representatives must secure the required three-fifths supermajority vote for the measure to advance to the ballot.

The initiative comes as Florida operates under Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, though the source material did not specify the governor's position on the proposed amendment.

Constitutional amendments in Florida face a higher threshold than regular legislation. Unlike standard bills that require simple majority approval, constitutional changes must clear multiple hurdles: supermajority votes in both legislative chambers, placement on a statewide ballot, and then approval by 60% of voters in a general election.

The November ballot timing would place the measure before voters during a general election, typically drawing higher turnout than other election cycles.

Property tax policy remains a contentious issue in Florida, where rising home values in many markets have led to increased tax bills for homeowners, even as millage rates remain unchanged. The proposed elimination of most residential property taxes would represent one of the most sweeping tax policy changes in state history if ultimately approved by voters.

The legislative session continues as lawmakers work to meet the August deadline for ballot placement.