SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 284

Assessment of Property Owned and Used by Small Businesses
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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 282 or a similar joint resolution having substantially the same specific intent and purpose, if such amendment 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

Assessment of Property Owned and Used by Small Businesses; Providing that real property owned and used for commercial purposes by small businesses will be assessed at just value after a certain date; prohibiting the annual change in assessed value from exceeding a specified amount; requiring that the assessed value of the property be lowered to the just value of the property under certain circumstances; providing that a change in ownership or control of the property will cause the property to be assessed at just value, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Caps annual property tax growth for small businesses at 3% or CPI.

Small businesses will see their property assessed at just value, then capped at 3% or CPI annually.

If the capped value exceeds just value, the assessed value must be lowered to just value.

A change in ownership or control that ends small business status triggers a reset to just value.

The Department of Revenue will create rules for applying, certifying, and auditing this limitation.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Assessment Cap for Small Business Property majors. 193.1553(2)

AICaps the annual increase in assessed value for qualifying small business real property at the lower of 3% or the CPI-U increase.

“the annual change in assessed value may not exceed the lesser of: (a) Three percent of the assessment for the prior year; or (b) The percent change in the Consumer Price Index” bill text, line 30 →
§ 2 Mandatory Reduction to Just Value majors. 193.1553(3)

AIRequires the assessed value to be lowered to just value if the capped calculation results in a value higher than the property's actual just value.

“If the assessed value of the property as calculated under subsection (2) exceeds the just value, the assessed value of the property must be lowered to the just value” bill text, line 38 →
§ 3 Reassessment Upon Change in Control majors. 193.1553(4)

AITriggers a full reassessment at just value if a change in ownership or control causes the property to no longer qualify as a small business.

“A change in ownership or control of the property, as provided in s. 193.1554(5), which results in the property no longer qualifying as owned and used by a small business, will” bill text, line 42 →
§ 4 Criminal Penalty for Fraudulent Claims moderates. 193.1553(6)

AIMakes knowingly filing false information to obtain or retain the assessment limitation a first-degree misdemeanor, plus back taxes, penalties, and interest.

“A person who knowingly files false information to obtain or retain the limitation provided by this section commits a misdemeanor of the first degree” bill text, line 53 →
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. 193.1553
+315 / −0