Proposed Property Tax Overhaul Passes the House

By: Shelia Mader

Governor DeSantis has been pushing a major overhaul of Florida’s property tax system, centered on dramatically reducing or even eliminating property taxes on primary (homestead) residences. The idea is to relieve homeowners of the burden of local property taxes by putting a constitutional amendment on the November 2026 ballot that voters would approve (60% support is required). Various iterations range from increasing homestead exemptions to fully phasing out non-school property taxes over time.

DeSantis has also said the state’s budget surplus could help backfill revenue losses for local governments that depend heavily on property taxes for schools, infrastructure, and services.

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, the Florida House of Representatives approved a sweeping constitutional amendment resolution (House Joint Resolution 203) that would eliminate most property taxes on homestead properties and send the measure to voters in 2026. It passed on a largely party-line vote.

This measure is one of several property tax proposals the House has considered this session.

Approval in the House doesn’t itself change tax law. Because the proposal is a constitutional amendment resolution, it must be approved by the Legislature and then put before voters in the November 2026 general election. A 60% voter approval is required for it to take effect.

Senate consideration: The measure must now be taken up and approved by the Florida Senate. As of the latest reports, there’s resistance or at least no clear Senate plan yet, and leadership in that chamber and Governor DeSantis have not fully agreed on which version of property tax relief should go forward.

Lawmakers still have to reconcile differences between House priorities, the Senate’s position, and what the governor supports. DeSantis has privately criticized the House’s multi-proposal approach and said a clearer, singular plan would be more likely to succeed with voters.

Ballot placement: If both chambers approve a constitutional amendment by the March 13, 2026, session deadline with the necessary 60% supermajority, its language will be placed on the November 2026 ballot for voters to decide.