SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. HB 215

Ad Valorem Taxation
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SPONSOR
Albert
FILED BY
Jon Albert — District 48, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
Except as otherwise expressly provided for in this act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon becoming a law, this act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
DIED IN
State Affairs Committee

Filed under Taxes & Budget.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Ad Valorem Taxation; Revises Save-Our-Homes portability benefits available to married persons establishing joint homestead; prohibits increase in prior year’s adopted millage rate from going into effect unless approved by specified vote; authorizes DOR to adopt emergency rules; provides for future expiration.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Caps joint homestead tax savings and requires two-thirds vote for millage increases.

Married couples who each held separate homestead exemptions before marrying can now combine their prior-year assessed value reductions on a new home, up to a $500,000 total cap. This expands the existing portability benefit, which previously limited the reduction to the higher of the two prior values.

Local governments can no longer raise the prior year's adopted millage rate without a two-thirds vote of the governing body. This new supermajority requirement applies to counties, municipalities, and independent districts, making it significantly harder to increase property tax rates.

The Department of Revenue is authorized to adopt emergency rules to implement these changes. These rules take effect immediately and remain in force for six months, renewable while permanent rulemaking is pending, allowing for rapid administrative implementation before the 2027 tax roll.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Married Couple Homestead Portability majors. 193.155(8)(c)

AIAllows married couples to combine the assessed value reductions from both spouses' previous homes, up to a $500,000 total cap.

“the reduction from just value is equal to the combined difference between the just value and the assessed value of both of the prior eligible homesteads” bill text, line 46 →
§ 2 Millage Rate Increase Approval majors. 200.065(5)(c)

AIRequires a two-thirds vote of the governing body to increase the prior year's adopted millage rate.

“the prior year adopted millage rate may only be increased if approved by a two-thirds vote of the membership of the governing body” bill text, line 58 →
§ 3 Emergency Rule Authority moderates. 120.54(4)

AIAuthorizes the Department of Revenue to adopt emergency rules to implement the new tax provisions, effective for six months.

“The Department of Revenue is authorized, and all conditions are deemed met, to adopt emergency rules” bill text, line 76 →
§ 4 Effective Date and Expiration moderates. 193.155

AISets the implementation date for the tax changes to the 2027 tax roll and expires the emergency rule authority in 2028.

“The amendments made by this act to ss. 193.155 and 200.065, Florida Statutes, first apply to the 2027 tax roll.” bill text, line 78 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in State Affairs Committee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
11/20/2025
Now in State Affairs Committee
11/20/2025
Reported out of Select Committee on Property Taxes
11/20/2025
Favorable by Select Committee on Property Taxes
11/13/2025
Added to Select Committee on Property Taxes agenda
10/16/2025
Now in Select Committee on Property Taxes
10/16/2025
Referred to Ways & Means Committee
10/16/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
10/16/2025
Referred to Select Committee on Property Taxes
10/16/2025
Filed
5 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 193.155
+114 / −0
s. 200.065
+37 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES