Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez announced Tuesday the creation of a Select Committee on Property Taxes, setting the stage for a major push to give voters the chance to reform property taxes through a 2026 ballot initiative.
Perez, a Miami Republican, made clear that the new committee will work through the fall, crafting one or more proposed constitutional amendments aimed at relieving Florida homeowners. The initiative follows Governor Ron DeSantis’ call this legislative session to address the growing property tax burden on Floridians.
“The Florida Constitution prohibits the state Legislature from exercising direct control over property taxes,” Perez told members on the House floor. “Any property tax reforms would need to be placed on the November 2026 ballot for consideration by the voters of Florida.”
Perez laid out several specific reforms the committee will examine. One major proposal would prohibit the foreclosure of a homestead property due to a property tax lien, putting the government on par with private creditors. Another proposal would require local governments and special taxing districts to hold referendums on eliminating property taxes for homestead properties.
Other ideas include a new $500,000 homestead exemption and a $1 million exemption for seniors 65 and older or those who have maintained a homestead for 30 years. Perez also suggested giving the Legislature power to adjust the homestead exemption via general law.
Additional proposals involve lowering the cap on homestead property assessment increases to a flat 3% annually, and adjusting the cap on nonhomestead properties to allow a 15% increase over three years, excluding school taxes.
Perez emphasized that these ideas are starting points, not final policies. He called on lawmakers to focus on real, specific reforms, not broad slogans. “Saying ‘property taxes bad’ isn’t the basis for developing a plan,” Perez said.
The committee’s first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, beginning what could become one of the most consequential property tax reform efforts in Florida’s recent history.
