SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-207

No. CS/HB 4051

Pace Fire Rescue District, Santa Rosa County
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SPONSOR
Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; Boyles
FILED BY
Nathan Boyles — District 3, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
6/10/2026

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Pace Fire Rescue District, Santa Rosa County; Provides exemption from non-ad valorem assessments for churches & specified religious institutions otherwise exempt from ad valorem taxes; provides calculation methods for non-ad valorem assessments; revises non-ad valorem assessments for residential properties & for industrial properties exceeding 40,000 square feet.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Exempts churches from fire district fees and lowers industrial property rates.

Churches and religious institutions exempt from ad valorem taxes will no longer be charged non-ad valorem fire district assessments.

Residential properties over 1,600 square feet see a reduced per-square-foot rate, with a new $350 total assessment cap.

Industrial properties over 40,000 square feet face a reduced per-square-foot rate for the excess area.

Commercial properties up to 2,500 square feet are now assessed at a flat $500 base rate.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Exemption for religious institutions majors. Pace Fire Rescue District Charter, Section 1(3)(a)

AIProhibits the district from levying non-ad valorem assessments on churches and religious institutions that are already exempt from ad valorem taxes.

“the district shall not levy non-ad valorem assessments on a church or religious institution that is otherwise exempt from ad valorem taxes.” bill text, line 26 →
§ 2 Residential assessment cap majors. Pace Fire Rescue District Charter, Section 1(3)(a)

AICaps the total non-ad valorem assessment for residential properties at $350, regardless of square footage.

“with the total assessment levied not to exceed $350.” bill text, line 39 →
§ 3 Industrial assessment tiering majors. Pace Fire Rescue District Charter, Section 1(3)(a)

AIChanges the industrial property assessment to a two-tier structure, applying a higher rate up to 40,000 square feet and a lower rate for excess footage.

“up to 40,000 square feet, with an additional $0.05 per square foot in excess of 40,000 square feet.” bill text, line 49 →
§ 4 Use code definition moderates. Pace Fire Rescue District Charter, Section 1(3)(c)

AIMandates that the district rely on Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser classifications to determine the applicable assessment rate.

“The district shall rely on such classifications, as reflected on the most recent certified tax roll” bill text, line 59 →
TIMELINE
7/1/2026
Chapter No. 2026-207
6/10/2026
Approved by Governor
6/9/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/11/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/11/2026
In Messages
3/11/2026
CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 790
3/11/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 790
3/11/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 790
3/11/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/11/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 785
3/9/2026
Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
3/3/2026
Received
3/3/2026
Referred to Rules
3/3/2026
In Messages
3/3/2026
CS passed as amended; YEAS 84, NAYS 25
3/3/2026
Read 3rd time
3/3/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/3/2026
Amendment 245493 adopted
3/3/2026
Read 2nd time
2/26/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)
2/25/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/25/2026
Temporarily postponed, on 2nd Reading
2/19/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
2/17/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/17/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
2/17/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
2/17/2026
Favorable by State Affairs Committee
2/13/2026
Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
2/10/2026
Now in State Affairs Committee
2/10/2026
Reported out of Ways & Means Committee
2/10/2026
Favorable by Ways & Means Committee
2/6/2026
Added to Ways & Means Committee agenda
2/6/2026
Now in Ways & Means Committee
2/6/2026
Referred to State Affairs Committee
2/6/2026
Referred to Ways & Means Committee
2/5/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/5/2026
CS Filed
2/5/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/5/2026
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/5/2026
Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/3/2026
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to State Affairs Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Ways & Means Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/5/2026
Filed
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