TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – One of the latest Florida amendment proposals aimed at cutting property taxes gained legs on Thursday after it passed through a House committee meeting.
The bill (HJR 1039) would establish an amendment, creating exemptions under the law for certain improvements from being considered as part of a home’s assessed value.
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More specifically, the amendment refers to any improvements that mitigate a property’s susceptibility to flood damage.
The proposal aims to help homeowners better afford improvements like flood vents, waterproofed basements, elevated furnaces and backwater valves, which can help these properties avoid flood damage during storm season.
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“Hurricanes and other storms that result in flooding have caused billions of dollars in damage across all parts of Florida,” the Legislative analysis reads. “Flooding is one of Florida’s most frequent hazards, and can happen any time of the year.”
Typically, the power to levy property taxes belongs to local governments, so if state lawmakers want to make adjustments, it would take an amendment to the state Constitution.
The issue of property taxes more generally took hold last month after Gov. Ron DeSantis voiced his support for eliminating them, responding to others online who criticized the practice.
This legislation, though, is aimed much more squarely at helping homeowners lessen the potentially devastating impacts of hurricanes.
“Floridians have faced hurricane destruction caused by storms like Charlie, Ian, Idalia, Helene, Milton and others with resilience time and time again,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Kimberly Berfield (R-Clearwater). “As a member who represents a district that has many properties susceptible to flooding, I generally support policy changes designed to assist homeowners with efforts they undertake when they’re mitigating these types of properties that are at risk of flood damage.”
The proposal was ultimately approved during Thursday’s committee meeting by unanimous vote, though it will need to pass through at least two more committees before it can be considered by the full Senate.
But even if the proposal is approved by the Legislature at large, it will still need to garner support from at least 60% of voters during the 2026 general election.
However, if the proposed amendment manages clear all of those hurdles, it is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.