Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. [photo courtesy Florida Governor's Office]

OKEECHOBEE- Florida lawmakers voted on June 2 to approve a constitutional amendment proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that would ask voters to begin phasing out property taxes on homesteaded homes.

The amendment will now be on the ballot this November, where voters will have the choice to approve it.

Gov. DeSantis unveiled his “Save Our Homes” property tax elimination proposal at the end of May, before calling for a special session of the Florida Legislature. The proposal exempts the first $250,000 of a homestead’s value from taxation and requiring, through law, a schedule for full elimination.

The proposal also required local governments to use remaining property taxes solely for core public needs including public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, and natural resources.

“Property tax revenue collected by local governments has nearly doubled in the past seven years and is expected to reach an astounding $83 billion by 2032,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida homeowners need relief. Now is the time to stand up for taxpayers, enact a historic reform, and save the home of every Floridian.”

The proposed constitutional amendment would need approval from 60% of voters to take effect. If passed, it would gradually increase the homestead exemption on primary residences from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, then to $250,000 in 2028, after which it would be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. New Florida residents who arrive after December 31 this year would have to wait five years before qualifying for the benefit.

The amendment would also tighten protections for non-homestead properties by cutting the cap on annual assessment increases from 10% to 5%.

Ahead of the special session the state created a website called "Save Our Homes" that allowed residents to calculate potential tax savings under the plan.

However, state legislators voted to change some of the proposed plans by the Governor. House and Senate committees made changes to ensure that homeowners in Florida would continue to pay property taxes designated for schools. Legislators also refined the proposed constitutional amendment to specify that locally elected offices, such as clerks of court and elections supervisors, would remain funded through property taxes.

State Representative Kaylee Tuck, who represents Okeechobee, Hendry, Glades, Highlands, and Hardee, voted for the amendment. Rep. Lauren Melo, who represents Hendry and Collier, and Rep. Meg Weinberger, who represents most of western Palm Beach County, also voted for the amendment.

State Senator Erin Grall, who represents Okeechobee. Glades, Highlands, Indian River and Martin, voted for the amendment.  State Senators Gayle Harrell, who represents Palm Beach, and Kathleen Passidomo, who represents Hendry, also voted to approve the amendment.