PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS FOR THE 2026 ment ad valorem tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses, as (a)(1) a. Every person who has the legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains GENERAL ELECTION defined by general law. Such an exemption may be granted only by ordinance of the county thereon the permanent residence of the owner, or another legally or naturally dependent upon or municipality, and only after the electors of the county or municipality voting on such the owner, shall be exempt from taxation thereon, except assessments for special benefits, as I, CORD BYRD, Secretary of State for Florida, do hereby give notice that the ballot title, question in a referendum authorize the county or municipality to adopt such ordinances. An follows: summary and proposed text for each of the following proposed amendments and revisions exemption so granted shall apply to improvements to real property made by or for the use 1.a. For school district levies, up to the assessed valuation of twenty-five thousand to the Florida Constitution will be on the General Election ballot on November 3, 2026, in of a new business and improvements to real property related to the expansion of an existing dollars; and each county. The full text may also be found at https://constitutionalinitiatives.dos.fl.gov/, at business and shall also apply to tangible personal property of such new business and tangible 2.b. For all levies other than school district levies, FloridaPublicNotices.com, and at this newspaper’s website. personal property related to the expansion of an existing business. The amount or limits of the amount of such exemption shall be specified by general law. The period of time for which I. Beginning on January 1, 2027, up to the assessed valuation of one hundred and fifty No.1 Constitutional Amendment such exemption may be granted to a new business or expansion of an existing business shall thousand dollars. Article III, Section 19 be determined by general law. The authority to grant such exemption shall expire ten years II. Beginning on January 1, 2028, up to the assessed valuation of two hundred and fifty from the date of approval by the electors of the county or municipality, and may be renewable thousand dollars. ARTICLE III by referendum as provided by general law. b. Every person who, on or after January 1, 2027, has the legal or equitable title to LEGISLATURE (d) Any county or municipality may, for the purpose of its respective tax levy and subject real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the owner, or another legally or SECTION 19. State Budgeting, Planning and Appropriations Processes.— to the provisions of this subsection and general law, grant historic preservation ad valorem naturally dependent upon the owner, who had not maintained a permanent residence in this state (a) ANNUAL BUDGETING. tax exemptions to owners of historic properties. This exemption may be granted only by ordi- as of December 31, 2026, shall be exempt from taxation thereon, except assessments for special (1) General law shall prescribe the adoption of annual state budgetary and planning pro- nance of the county or municipality. The amount or limits of the amount of this exemption and benefits, as follows: cesses and require that detail reflecting the annualized costs of the state budget and reflecting the requirements for eligible properties must be specified by general law. The period of time 1. For school district levies, up to the assessed valuation of twenty-five thousand dollars; the nonrecurring costs of the budget requests shall accompany state department and agency for which this exemption may be granted to a property owner shall be determined by general and legislative budget requests, the governor’s recommended budget, and appropriation bills. law. 2. For all levies other than school district levies, up to the assessed valuation of fifty (2) Unless approved by a three-fifths vote of the membership of each house, appropria- (e) By general law and subject to conditions specified therein: thousand dollars. Unless otherwise revised under sub-subparagraph (4)a.2., beginning with tions made for recurring purposes from nonrecurring general revenue funds for any fiscal year (1) Twenty-five thousand dollars of the assessed value of property subject to tangible the fifth year of exemption under this subparagraph, such person shall be exempt up to the shall not exceed three percent of the total general revenue funds estimated to be available at personal property tax shall be exempt from ad valorem taxation. amount of assessed valuation provided by sub-sub-subparagraph a.2.II., as adjusted pursuant the time such appropriation is made. (2) The assessed value of solar devices or renewable energy source devices subject to to subparagraph (2)a. The legislature shall, by general law, prescribe uniform procedures to (3) As prescribed by general law, each state department and agency shall be required to tangible personal property tax may be exempt from ad valorem taxation, subject to limitations administer this subparagraph. submit a legislative budget request that is based upon and that reflects the long-range financial provided by general law. outlook adopted by the joint legislative budget commission or that specifically explains any (f) There shall be granted an ad valorem tax exemption for The exemptions provided by this paragraph apply only greater than fifty thousand dollars variance from the long-range financial outlook contained in the request. real property dedicated in perpetuity for conservation purposes, including real property en- and up to seventy-five thousand dollars, upon establishment of right thereto in the manner (4) For purposes of this section, the terms department and agency shall include the judi- cumbered by perpetual conservation easements or by other perpetual conservation protections, cial branch. as defined by general law. prescribed by law. The real estate may be held by legal or equitable title, by the entireties, (b) APPROPRIATION BILLS FORMAT. Separate sections within the general appropri- (g) By general law and subject to the conditions specified therein, each person who jointly, in common, as a condominium, or indirectly by stock ownership or membership ation bill shall be used for each major program area of the state budget; major program areas receives a homestead exemption as provided in section 6 of this article; who was a member of representing the owner’s or member’s proprietary interest in a corporation owning a fee or a shall include: education enhancement “lottery” trust fund items; education (all other funds); the United States military or military reserves, the United States Coast Guard or its reserves, leasehold initially in excess of ninety-eight years. The exemptions exemption shall not apply human services; criminal justice and corrections; natural resources, environment, growth man- or the Florida National Guard; and who was deployed during the preceding calendar year on with respect to any assessment roll until such roll is first determined to be in compliance with agement, and transportation; general government; and judicial branch. Each major program active duty outside the continental United States, Alaska, or Hawaii in support of military the provisions of section 4 by a state agency designated by general law. These exemptions area shall include an itemization of expenditures for: state operations; state capital outlay; operations designated by the legislature shall receive an additional exemption equal to a are This exemption is repealed on the effective date of any amendment to this Article which aid to local governments and nonprofit organizations operations; aid to local governments percentage of the taxable value of his or her homestead property. The applicable percentage provides for the assessment of homestead property at less than just value. and nonprofit organizations capital outlay; federal funds and the associated state matching shall be calculated as the number of days during the preceding calendar year the person was (2)a. The twenty-five thousand dollar amount of assessed valuation exempt from taxation funds; spending authorizations for operations; and spending authorizations for capital outlay. deployed on active duty outside the continental United States, Alaska, or Hawaii in support of provided in sub-sub-subparagraph (1)a.2.II. subparagraph (a)(1)b. shall be adjusted annually Additionally, appropriation bills passed by the legislature shall include an itemization of military operations designated by the legislature divided by the number of days in that year. for inflation beginning on January 1, 2029, and of each year thereafter for inflation using the specific appropriations that exceed one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) in 1992 dollars. For (h)(1) Tangible personal property that meets all of the following conditions shall be percent change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average, all purposes of this subsection, “specific appropriation,” “itemization,” and “major program area” exempt from ad valorem taxation: items 1967=100, or successor reports for the preceding calendar year as initially reported by shall be defined by law. This itemization threshold shall be adjusted by general law every four a. Habitually located or typically present on land classified as agricultural. the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, if such percent change is years to reflect the rate of inflation or deflation as indicated in the Consumer Price Index for b. Used in the production of agricultural products or for agritourism activities. positive. All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average, All Items, or successor reports as reported by the c. Owned by the landowner or leaseholder of the agricultural land. b. The amount of assessed valuation exempt from taxation provided in sub-subparagraph United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics or its successor. Substantive (2) The exemption provided by this subsection is subject to conditions and limitations and (1)b.2. shall be adjusted annually for inflation beginning on January 1, 2028, and each year bills containing appropriations shall also be subject to the itemization requirement mandated reasonable definitions as specified by the legislature in general law. thereafter, using the percent change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, under this provision and shall be subject to the governor’s specific appropriation veto power U.S. City Average, all items 1967=100, or successor reports for the preceding calendar year as described in Article III, Section 8. ARTICLE XII initially reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, if such (c) APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS. SCHEDULE (1) No later than September 15 of each year, the joint legislative budget commission shall percent change is positive. issue a long-range financial outlook setting out recommended fiscal strategies for the state and Ad valorem exemption for tangible personal property on land classified as agricultural.—The (3) Except for the exemptions provided in sub- subparagraphs (1)a.2. and b.2. and its departments and agencies in order to assist the legislature in making budget decisions. The amendment to Section 3 of Article VII, providing for a tax exemption for certain tangible paragraph (4), the amount of assessed valuation exempt from taxation for which every person long-range financial outlook must include major workload and revenue estimates. In order to personal property, and this section, shall take effect upon approval by the electors and shall who has the legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence implement this paragraph, the joint legislative budget commission shall use current official first apply for assessments for tax years beginning January 1, 2027. of the owner, or another person legally or naturally dependent upon the owner, is eligible, and consensus estimates and may request the development of additional official estimates. which applies solely to levies other than school district levies, that is added to this constitution (2) The joint legislative budget commission shall seek input from the public and from the No. 3 Constitutional Amendment after January 1, 2025, shall be adjusted annually on January 1 of each year for inflation using executive and judicial branches when developing and recommending the long-range financial Article VII, Sections 4, 6, and 9, and Article XII the percent change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average, outlook. all (3) The legislature shall prescribe by general law conditions under which limited adjust- ARTICLE VII items 1967=100, or successor reports for the preceding calendar year as initially reported by ments to the budget, as recommended by the governor or the chief justice of the supreme FINANCE AND TAXATION the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, if such percent change is court, may be approved without the concurrence of the full legislature. SECTION 4. Taxation; assessments.—By general law regulations shall be prescribed positive, beginning the year following the effective date of such exemption. (d) SEVENTY-TWO HOUR PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD. All general appropriation bills which shall secure a just valuation of all property for ad valorem taxation, provided: (4)a.1. The legislature shall, by general law, prescribe a uniform procedure for counties shall be furnished to each member of the legislature, each member of the cabinet, the gover- (a) Agricultural land, land producing high water recharge to Florida’s aquifers, or land and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the amount of assessed valuation nor, and the chief justice of the supreme court at least seventy-two hours before final passage used exclusively for noncommercial recreational purposes may be classified by general law exempt from taxation under paragraph (1), up to all remaining assessed valuation. by either house of the legislature of the bill in the form that will be presented to the governor. and assessed solely on the basis of character or use. 2. Beginning on or after January 1, 2030, a county or municipality, by two-thirds vote of (e) FINAL BUDGET REPORT. A final budget report shall be prepared as prescribed by (b) As provided by general law and subject to conditions, limitations, and reasonable the membership of the governing body, may determine that a reduction of the five-year general law. The final budget report shall be produced no later than the 120th day after the definitions specified therein, land used for conservation purposes shall be classified by general requirement provided under sub-subparagraph (1)b.2. is warranted for a critical local need. beginning of the fiscal year, and copies of the report shall be furnished to each member of the law and assessed solely on the basis of character or use. b.1. A special district may, upon approval by referendum by the electors of the district, legislature, the head of each department and agency of the state, the auditor general, and the (c) Pursuant to general law tangible personal property held for sale as stock in trade and increase the amount of assessed valuation exempt from taxation under sub-subparagraphs (1) chief justice of the supreme court. livestock may be valued for taxation at a specified percentage of its value, may be classified (f) TRUST FUNDS. for tax purposes, or may be exempted from taxation. a.2. and b.2., for its respective levy, up to all remaining assessed valuation. By general law, the (1) No trust fund of the State of Florida or other public body may be created or re-created (d) All persons entitled to a homestead exemption under Section 6 of this Article shall legislature shall provide the manner in which a referendum may be called; the frequency with by law without a three-fifths vote of the membership of each house of the legislature in a have their homestead assessed at just value as of January 1 of the year following the effective which such referendum may be held, which may not be more than once in a 12-month period; separate bill for that purpose only. date of this amendment. This assessment shall change only as provided in this subsection. a ballot statement and question of such referendum; and other requirements for the referendum (2) State trust funds shall terminate not more than four years after the effective date of the (1) Assessments subject to this subsection shall be not inconsistent with this paragraph. The approved exemption increase shall take effect on and act authorizing the initial creation of the trust fund. By law the legislature may set a shorter changed annually on January 1st of each year; but those changes in assessments shall not first apply beginning on the January 1 immediately succeeding approval by referendum. time period for which any trust fund is authorized. exceed the lower of the following: 2. A special district may adjust the amount of assessed valuation exempt from taxation (3) Trust funds required by federal programs or mandates; trust funds established for a. Three percent (3%) of the assessment for the prior year. as approved under sub-subparagraph 1. annually on January 1 of each year for inflation using bond covenants, indentures, or resolutions, whose revenues are legally pledged by the state b. The percent change in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers, U.S. City the percent change in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average, or public body to meet debt service or other financial requirements of any debt obligations of Average, all items 1967=100, or successor reports for the preceding calendar year as initially all items 1967=100, or successor reports for the preceding calendar year as initially reported by the state or any public body; the state transportation trust fund; the trust fund containing the reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, if such percent change is net annual proceeds from the Florida Education Lotteries; the Florida retirement trust fund; (2) No assessment shall exceed just value. positive. trust funds for institutions under the management of the Board of Governors, where such trust (3) After any change of ownership, as provided by general law, homestead property shall (b) Not more than one exemption shall be allowed any individual or family unit or with funds are for auxiliary enterprises and contracts, grants, and donations, as those terms are be assessed at just value as of January 1 of the following year, unless the provisions of para- respect to any residential unit. No exemption shall exceed the value of the real estate assessable defined by general law; trust funds that serve as clearing funds or accounts for the chief finan- graph (8) apply. Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed as provided in this subsection. to the owner or, in case of ownership through stock or membership in a corporation, the value cial officer or state agencies; trust funds that account for assets held by the state in a trustee (4) New homestead property shall be assessed at just value as of January 1st of the year of the proportion which the interest in the corporation bears to the assessed value of the property. capacity as an agent or fiduciary for individuals, private organizations, or other governmental following the establishment of the homestead, unless the provisions of paragraph (8) apply. (c) By general law and subject to conditions specified therein, the Legislature may pro- units; and other trust funds authorized by this Constitution, are not subject to the requirements That assessment shall only change as provided in this subsection. vide to renters, who are permanent residents, ad valorem tax relief on all ad valorem tax levies. set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection. (5) Changes, additions, reductions, or improvements to homestead property shall be Such ad valorem tax relief shall be in the form and amount established by general law. (4) All cash balances and income of any trust funds abolished under this subsection shall assessed as provided for by general law; provided, however, after the adjustment for any (d) The legislature may, by general law, allow counties or municipalities, for the purpose be deposited into the change, addition, reduction, or improvement, the property shall be assessed as provided in this (g) BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND. subsection. of their respective tax levies and subject to the provisions of general law, to grant either or both (1) For purposes of this subsection, the term “revenue collections” means the last com- (6) In the event of a termination of homestead status, the property shall be assessed as of the following additional homestead tax exemptions: pleted fiscal year’s net revenue collections for the general revenue fund. provided by general law. (1) An exemption not exceeding fifty thousand dollars to a person who has the legal or (2) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, an amount equal to at least 5% of the last (7) The provisions of this amendment are severable. If any of the provisions of this equitable title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the owner, who completed fiscal year’s net revenue collections for the general revenue fund shall be retained amendment shall be held unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision has attained age sixty-five, and whose household income, as defined by general law, does not in the budget stabilization fund. The budget stabilization fund’s principal balance shall not ex- of such court shall not affect or impair any remaining provisions of this amendment. exceed twenty thousand dollars; or ceed an amount equal to 25% 10% of the last completed fiscal year’s net revenue collections (8)a. A person who establishes a new homestead as of January 1 and who has received a (2) An exemption equal to the assessed value of the property to a person who has the for the general revenue fund. homestead exemption pursuant to Section 6 of this Article as of January 1 of any of the three legal or equitable title to real estate with a just value less than two hundred and fifty thousand (3) The legislature shall transfer the lesser of $750 million or the amount required to years immediately preceding the establishment of the new homestead is entitled to have the dollars, as determined in the first tax year that the owner applies and is eligible for the increase the principal balance of the budget stabilization fund to an amount equal to 25% of new homestead assessed at less than just value. The assessed value of the newly established exemption, and who has maintained thereon the permanent residence of the owner for not less revenue collections from the general revenue fund to the budget stabilization fund no later homestead shall be determined as follows: than twenty-five years, who has attained age sixty-five, and whose household income does not than June 30th of each fiscal year. The legislature may suspend this transfer in a fiscal year in 1. If the just value of the new homestead is greater than or equal to the just value of the exceed the income limitation prescribed in paragraph (1). which: prior homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the prior homestead was abandoned, The general law must allow counties and municipalities to grant these additional exemptions, a. Funds are withdrawn from the budget stabilization fund pursuant to paragraph (4); the assessed value of the new homestead shall be the just value of the new homestead minus within the limits prescribed in this subsection, by ordinance adopted in the manner prescribed by b. Funds are withdrawn from the budget stabilization fund for the purpose of funding a an amount equal to the lesser of $500,000 or the difference between the just value and the general law, and must provide for the periodic adjustment of the income limitation prescribed critical state need pursuant to paragraph (5); or assessed value of the prior homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the prior homestead in this subsection for changes in the cost of living. c. The legislature determines there is a critical state need that requires the expenditure of gen- was abandoned. Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed as provided in this subsection. (e) eral revenue funds in an amount that exceeds the transfer amount required by this paragraph. 2. If the just value of the new homestead is less than the just value of the prior homestead (1) Each veteran who is age 65 or older who is partially or totally permanently disabled A suspension for a critical state need pursuant to this subparagraph must be approved by a as of January 1 of the year in which the prior homestead was abandoned, the assessed value shall receive a discount from the he amount of the ad valorem tax otherwise owed on two-thirds vote of the membership of each house of the legislature in a separate bill for that of the new homestead shall be equal to the just value of the new homestead divided by the homestead property the veteran owns and resides in if the disability was combat related and the purpose only and may not occur more than once every five years. just value of the prior homestead and multiplied by the assessed value of the prior homestead. (4) The legislature shall provide criteria for withdrawing funds from the budget stabi- However, if the difference between the just value of the new homestead and the assessed value veteran was honorably discharged upon separation from military service. The discount shall be lization fund in a separate bill for that purpose only and only for the purpose of covering of the new homestead calculated pursuant to this sub-subparagraph is greater than $500,000, in a percentage equal to the percentage of the veteran’s permanent, service-connected disability revenue shortfalls of the general revenue fund or for the purpose of providing funding for an the assessed value of the new homestead shall be increased so that the difference between the as determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. To qualify for the discount emergency, as defined by general law. just value and the assessed value equals $500,000. Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed granted by this paragraph, an applicant must submit to the county property appraiser, by March (5) If the principal balance of the budget stabilization fund exceeds an amount equal to as provided in this subsection. 1, an official letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs stating the percentage 15% of revenue collections, the legislature may withdraw funds for the purpose of funding on b. By general law and subject to conditions specified therein, the legislature shall provide of the veteran’s service-connected disability and such evidence that reasonably identifies the a nonrecurring basis a critical state need. Such withdrawal must be approved by a two-thirds for application of this paragraph to property owned by more than one person. disability as combat related and a copy of the veteran’s honorable discharge. If the property vote of the membership of each house of the legislature in a separate bill for that purpose only. (e) The legislature may, by general law, for assessment purposes and subject to the appraiser denies the request for a discount, the appraiser must notify the applicant in writing of The withdrawal must not cause the principal balance of the budget stabilization fund to equal provisions of this subsection, allow counties and municipalities to authorize by ordinance that the reasons for the denial, and the veteran may reapply. The Legislature may, by general law, an amount that is less than 10% of revenue collections. historic property may be assessed solely on the basis of character or use. Such character or use waive the annual application requirement in subsequent years. (6) General law shall provide for the restoration of this fund. The budget stabilization assessment shall apply only to the jurisdiction adopting the ordinance. The requirements for (2) If a veteran who receives the discount described in paragraph (1) predeceases his or fund shall be comprised of funds not otherwise obligated or committed for any purpose. eligible properties must be specified by general law. her spouse, and if, upon the death of the veteran, the surviving spouse holds the legal or benefi- (h) LONG-RANGE STATE PLANNING DOCUMENT AND DEPARTMENT AND (f) A county may, in the manner prescribed by general law, provide for a reduction in the cial title to the homestead property and permanently resides thereon, the discount carries over AGENCY PLANNING DOCUMENT PROCESSES. General law shall provide for a long- assessed value of homestead property to the extent of any increase in the assessed value of to the surviving spouse until he or she remarries or sells or otherwise disposes of the homestead range state planning document. The governor shall recommend to the legislature biennially that property which results from the construction or reconstruction of the property for the pur- property. If the surviving spouse sells or otherwise disposes of the property, a discount not to any revisions to the long-range state planning document, as defined by law. General law shall pose of providing living quarters for one or more natural or adoptive grandparents or parents exceed the dollar amount granted from the most recent ad valorem tax roll may be transferred to require a biennial review and revision of the long range state planning document and shall of the owner of the property or of the owner’s spouse if at least one of the grandparents or the surviving spouse’s new homestead property, if used as his or her permanent residence and require all departments and agencies of state government to develop planning documents that parents for whom the living quarters are provided is 62 years of age or older. Such a reduction he or she has not remarried. identify statewide strategic goals and objectives, consistent with the long-range state planning may not exceed the lesser of the following: (3) This subsection is self-executing and does not require implementing legislation. document. The long-range state planning document and department and agency planning (1) The increase in assessed value resulting from construction or reconstruction of the (f) By general law and subject to conditions and limitations specified therein, the Legis- documents shall remain subject to review and revision by the legislature. The long-range state property. planning document must include projections of future needs and resources of the state which (2) Twenty percent of the total assessed value of the property as improved. lature may provide ad valorem tax relief equal to the total amount or a portion of the ad valorem are consistent with the long-range financial outlook. The department and agency planning (g) For all levies other than school district levies, tax otherwise owed on homestead property to: documents shall include a prioritized listing of planned expenditures for review and possible assessments of residential real property, as defined by general law, which contains nine units (1) The surviving spouse of a veteran who died from service-connected causes while on reduction in the event of revenue shortfalls, as defined by general law. or fewer and which is not subject to the assessment limitations set forth in subsections (a) active duty as a member of the United States Armed Forces. (i) GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY TASK FORCE. No later than January of 2007, and through (d) shall change only as provided in this subsection. (2) The surviving spouse of a first responder who died in the line of duty. each fourth year thereafter, the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of represen- (1) Assessments subject to this subsection shall be (3) A first responder who is totally and permanently disabled as a result of an injury or in- tatives, and the governor shall appoint a government efficiency task force, the membership changed annually on the date of assessment provided by law; but those changes in assess- juries sustained in the line of duty. Causal connection between a disability and service in the line of which shall be established by general law. The task force shall be composed of members ments shall not exceed the following percentages ten percent (10%) of the assessment for the of duty shall not be presumed but must be determined as provided by general law. For purposes of the legislature and representatives from the private and public sectors who shall develop prior year: of this paragraph, the term “disability” does not include a chronic condition or chronic disease, recommendations for improving governmental operations and reducing costs. Staff to assist a. Before January 1, 2027, ten percent (10%). unless the injury sustained in the line of duty was the sole cause of the chronic condition or the task force in performing its duties shall be assigned by general law, and the task force b. Beginning January 1, 2027, five percent (5%). chronic disease. As used in this subsection and as further defined by general law, the term “first may obtain assistance from the private sector. The task force shall complete its work within (2) No assessment shall exceed just value. responder” means a law enforcement officer, a correctional officer, a firefighter, an emergency one year and shall submit its recommendations to the joint legislative budget commission, the (3) After a change of ownership or control, as defined by general law, including any medical technician, or a paramedic, and the term “in the line of duty” means arising out of and governor, and the chief justice of the supreme court. change of ownership of a legal entity that owns the property, such property shall be assessed in the actual performance of duty required by employment as a first responder. (j) JOINT LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COMMISSION. There is created within the at just value as of the next assessment date. Thereafter, such property shall be assessed as SECTION 9. Local taxes.— legislature the joint legislative budget commission composed of equal numbers of senate provided in this subsection. (a)(1) Counties, school districts, and municipalities shall, and special districts may, be members appointed by the president of the senate and house members appointed by the (4) Changes, additions, reductions, or improvements to such property shall be assessed as authorized by law to levy ad valorem taxes and may be authorized by general law to levy other speaker of the house of representatives. Each member shall serve at the pleasure of the officer provided for by general law; however, after the adjustment for any change, addition, reduc- taxes, for their respective purposes, except ad valorem taxes on intangible personal property and who appointed the member. A vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner tion, or improvement, the property shall be assessed as provided in this subsection. taxes prohibited by this constitution. as the original appointment. From November of each odd-numbered year through October of (h) For all levies other than school district levies, assessments of real property that is (2) Ad valorem taxes levied by counties and municipalities shall be used only to: each even-numbered year, the chairperson of the joint legislative budget commission shall be not subject to the assessment limitations set forth in subsections (a) through (d) and (g) shall appointed by the president of the senate and the vice chairperson of the commission shall be change only as provided in this subsection. a. Provide for public safety, including law enforcement, fire service, and emergency appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. From November of each even-num- (1) Assessments subject to this subsection shall be changed annually on the date of medical service; bered year through October of each odd-numbered year, the chairperson of the joint legislative assessment provided by law; but those changes in assessments shall not exceed the following b. Provide funding for education and public schools; budget commission shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the percentages ten percent (10%) of the assessment for the prior year: c. Finance or refinance infrastructure, including expenditures on road and bridge con- vice chairperson of the commission shall be appointed by the president of the senate. The a. Before January 1, 2027, ten percent (10%). struction and maintenance and stormwater control; joint legislative budget commission shall be governed by the joint rules of the senate and the b. Beginning January 1, 2027, five percent (5%). d. Finance or refinance natural resource projects, including flood control measures; house of representatives, which shall remain in effect until repealed or amended by concurrent (2) No assessment shall exceed just value. e. Issue local bonds for uses consistent with this paragraph and to make debt service resolution. The commission shall convene at least quarterly and shall convene at the call of (3) The legislature must provide that such property shall be assessed at just value as of the payments for existing obligations; the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives. A majority of the next assessment date after a qualifying improvement, as defined by general law, is made to f. Meet obligations for retirement benefits of local government employees; or commission members of each house plus one additional member from either house constitutes such property. Thereafter, such property shall be assessed as provided in this subsection. g. Fund the operations and administration of county officers and commissioners a quorum. Action by the commission requires a majority vote of the commission members (4) The legislature may provide that such property shall be assessed at just value as of established under Article VIII and municipalities, and the expenditures approved by such county present of each house. The commission may conduct its meetings through teleconferences the next assessment date after a change of ownership or control, as defined by general law, officers or county or municipal governing bodies, except those expenditures prohibited by or similar means. In addition to the powers and duties specified in this subsection, the joint including any change of ownership of the legal entity that owns the property. Thereafter, such general law. legislative budget commission shall exercise all other powers and perform any other duties property shall be assessed as provided in this subsection. (b) Ad valorem taxes, exclusive of taxes levied for the payment of bonds and taxes not in conflict with paragraph (c)(3) and as prescribed by general law or joint rule. (5) Changes, additions, reductions, or improvements to such property shall be assessed as levied for periods not longer than two years when authorized by vote of the electors who are provided for by general law; however, after the adjustment for any change, addition, reduc- the owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation, shall not be levied in excess No. 2 Constitutional Amendment tion, or improvement, the property shall be assessed as provided in this subsection. of the following millages upon the assessed value of real estate and tangible personal property: Article VII, Section 3, and Article XII (i) The legislature, by general law and subject to conditions specified therein, may for all county purposes, ten mills; for all municipal purposes, ten mills; for all school purposes, prohibit the consideration of the following in the determination of the assessed value of real ten mills; for water management purposes for the northwest portion of the state lying west of ARTICLE VII property: the line between ranges two and three east, 0.05 mill; for water management purposes for the FINANCE AND TAXATION (1) Any change or improvement to real property used for residential purposes made to SECTION 3. Taxes; exemptions.— improve the property’s resistance to wind damage. remaining portions of the state, 1.0 mill; and for all other special districts a millage authorized (a) All property owned by a municipality and used exclusively by it for municipal or (2) The installation of a solar or renewable energy source device. by law approved by vote of the electors who are owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt public purposes shall be exempt from taxation. A municipality, owning property outside the (j) from taxation. A county furnishing municipal services may, to the extent authorized by law, levy municipality, may be required by general law to make payment to the taxing unit in which (1) The assessment of the following working waterfront properties shall be based upon additional taxes within the limits fixed for municipal purposes. the property is located. Such portions of property as are used predominantly for educational, the current use of the property: literary, scientific, religious or charitable purposes may be exempted by general law from a. Land used predominantly for commercial fishing purposes. ARTICLE XII taxation. b. Land that is accessible to the public and used for vessel launches into waters that are SCHEDULE (b) There shall be exempt from taxation, cumulatively, to every head of a family residing navigable. Limitation on the assessment of real property, homestead property exemptions, and local in this state, household goods and personal effects to the value fixed by general law, not less c. Marinas and drystacks that are open to the public. government revenue.—This section and the amendments to Sections 4 and 6 of Article VII, than one thousand dollars, and to every widow or widower or person who is blind or totally d. Water-dependent marine manufacturing facilities, commercial fishing facilities, and relating to a limitation on the assessed value of real property, an increase to the homestead and permanently disabled, property to the value fixed by general law not less than five hun- marine vessel construction and repair facilities and their support activities. property tax exemption, and the creation of a new homestead exemption beginning January 1, dred dollars. (2) The assessment benefit provided by this subsection is subject to conditions and limita- 2027, and the amendment to Section 9 of Article VII, relating to the uses of certain revenues by (c) Any county or municipality may, for the purpose of its respective tax levy and subject tions and reasonable definitions as specified by the legislature by general law. counties and municipalities, shall take effect January 1, 2027. to the provisions of this subsection and general law, grant community and economic develop- SECTION 6. Homestead exemptions.—