SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 286

Assessment of Changes, Additions, or Improvements to Homestead Properties
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SPONSOR
Bernard
FILED BY
Mack Bernard — District 24, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Finance and Tax

Filed under Taxes & Budget.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Assessment of Changes, Additions, or Improvements to Homestead Properties; Revising the manner of assessing the value of changes, additions, or improvements to homestead property, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Replaces the 130% square-footage cap with a $100,000 value threshold for homestead improvements.

The bill deletes the existing 130% square-footage limit and 2,000-square-foot cap that previously governed how homestead improvements are assessed.

It adds a new rule: if the total just value of changes is under $100,000, the added value is calculated using a specific percentage formula.

The new formula multiplies the property's assessed-to-just-value ratio by the just value of the improvement.

The new rule does not apply if the improvement replaces all or a substantial portion of the property or increases square footage by more than 25%.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 New $100,000 Threshold for Homestead Improvements majors. 193.155(4)(b)

AICreates a new assessment method for homestead improvements under $100,000

“If the total just value of changes, additions, or improvements to a homestead property is less than $100,000, the assessment of the added value must be calculated by multiplying” bill text, line 23 →
§ 2 Deletion of Calamity Reconstruction Rules majors. 193.155(4)(b)

AIRemoves specific assessment rules for properties damaged by misfortune or calamity

“Changes, additions, or improvements that replace all or a portion of homestead property, including ancillary improvements, damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity shall be” bill text, line 35 →
§ 3 Deletion of Non-Homestead Calamity Rules majors. 193.155(4)(c)

AIRemoves assessment rules for non-homestead properties damaged by calamity that later receive exemption

“Changes, additions, or improvements that replace all or a portion of real property that was damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity shall be assessed upon substantial” bill text, line 35 →
§ 4 New Square Footage Limit for Calamity Rebuilds moderates. 193.155(4)(c)

AIAdds a 25 percent square footage increase limit for calamity-related improvements

“Paragraph (b) does not apply to changes, additions, or improvements that replace all or a substantial portion of the property or that increase the total square footage of the” bill text, line 31 →
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
+109 / −364