SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 276

Homestead Property Tax Benefits for Long-term Owners and Permanent Residents
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SPONSOR
Bernard
FILED BY
Mack Bernard — District 24, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
On the effective date of the amendment to the State Constitution proposed by SJR 274 or a similar joint resolution having substantially the same specific intent and purpose, if such amendment to the State Constitution is approved at the next general election or at an earlier special election specifically authorized by law for that purpose
DIED IN
Finance and Tax

Filed under Taxes & Budget.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Homestead Property Tax Benefits for Long-term Owners and Permanent Residents; Requiring that certain property be assessed at less than just value when the person who owns the property has owned and used the property as his or her permanent residence for a specified timeframe; providing that the assessed value of such property shall be a certain amount and may not be increased under certain circumstances; specifying a homestead exemption for certain long-term owners and residents; authorizing periods of ownership and residency to be aggregated, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Locks assessed value for 20-year owners and grants 50% tax exemption to 30-year owners.

Homeowners who have lived in their property for 20 years or more will have their assessed value frozen at the level it reached in their 20th year. This prevents future property tax increases on that specific property, regardless of how much the market value rises.

Homeowners who have lived in their property for 30 years or more will receive a new exemption equal to 50 percent of the property's assessed value. This exemption reduces the amount of property taxes owed, but it does not apply to school district levies.

The bill allows owners to combine time spent living in multiple different homes to reach the 20-year or 30-year thresholds. Property appraisers are required to keep records of previous homes to verify that these combined periods meet the legal requirements.

These new tax benefits will first apply to the 2027 tax roll. The bill only takes effect if a related amendment to the State Constitution is approved by voters in a general or special election.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 20-Year Assessment Freeze majors. 193.155(9)(a)

AILocks the assessed value of a homestead property at the level it reached in the 20th year of continuous ownership and residency, preventing any future increases.

“may not increase thereafter so long as the property continues to receive the homestead exemption” bill text, line 448 →
§ 2 50% Ad Valorem Tax Exemption majors. 196.078(1)

AIGrants a 50% exemption on all ad valorem taxes, excluding school district levies, to individuals who have owned and resided in a property for 30 years.

“entitled to an exemption equal to 50 percent of the assessed value of the property” bill text, line 620 →
§ 3 Aggregation of Ownership Periods moderates. 193.155(9)(b)

AIAllows owners to combine periods of ownership and residency across multiple homestead properties to meet the 20-year or 30-year eligibility thresholds.

“Periods of ownership and residency on multiple homestead properties may be aggregated” bill text, line 450 →
§ 4 Emergency Rulemaking Authority moderates. 196.078(5)(1)

AIPermits the Department of Revenue to adopt emergency rules to administer the new tax benefits, effective for six months and renewable during permanent rulemaking.

“may, if all conditions are deemed met, adopt emergency rules” bill text, line 633 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Finance and Tax
1/13/2026
Introduced
11/17/2025
Referred to Finance and Tax; Appropriations; Rules
10/23/2025
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 193.155
+138 / −3
s. 194.011
+4 / −0
s. 196.011
+2 / −0
s. 196.078
+188 / −0