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Florida Amendment 3 (2026): Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homestead Property Assessments

Florida constitutional amendment · on the ballot 2026-11-03 · Status: On the ballot November 3, 2026

floridaconstitutional-amendmentproperty-taxhomestead

What does this mean?

Official ballot summary

This amendment increases the homestead exemption, for all non-school taxes, to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation thereafter. It requires the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the homestead exemption up to full assessed value, and allows special districts, subject to referendum approval, to do the same. Persons who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026, will receive the existing homestead exemption upon qualifying for a homestead exemption, with the increased homestead exemption beginning with the fifth year of exemption, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Constitution. This amendment reduces the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%. This amendment requires counties and municipalities to use property taxes solely for public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resources, bond debt service, retirement benefits for employees, and operations and administration. Other expenditures may be approved by county officers or county or municipal governing bodies unless prohibited by general law, notwithstanding Article VII, Section 9(a) of the Florida Constitution, which allows counties and municipalities to levy property taxes for their respective purposes. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2027.

Plain summary

A "homestead exemption" is the part of your home's value that is not taxed, if it is your permanent home. For taxes other than school taxes, this amendment would raise that amount to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, then adjust it for inflation. People who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026 would get the current, smaller exemption for their first years and the larger one starting in their fifth year. It would also lower the yearly limit on how fast the taxable value of non-homestead property (such as rentals and businesses) can rise, from 10% to 5%, and limit what counties and cities may spend property-tax money on. Takes effect January 1, 2027 if approved.

PSI Sci plain-language restatement of the official ballot summary above (not an opinion). Source of the official wording: Florida Division of Elections. Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yes” vote

The Florida Constitution (Article VII, Sections 4, 6, and 9; Article XII) is changed as described, but only if at least 60% of voters vote Yes.

A “No” vote

The Florida Constitution is not changed; current provisions stay as they are. (If fewer than 60% vote Yes, the amendment fails.)

Florida Constitution, Article XI, Section 5(e): an amendment needs 60% of the votes cast on it.

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

This amendment increases the homestead exemption, for all non-school taxes, to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, and adjusts for inflation thereafter. It requires the Legislature to prescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the homestead exemption up to full assessed value, and allows special districts, subject to referendum approval, to do the same. Persons who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026, will receive the existing homestead exemption upon qualifying for a homestead exemption, with the increased homestead exemption beginning with the fifth year of exemption, to the extent permitted by the U.S. Constitution. This amendment reduces the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%. This amendment requires counties and municipalities to use property taxes solely for public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resources, bond debt service, retirement benefits for employees, and operations and administration. Other expenditures may be approved by county officers or county or municipal governing bodies unless prohibited by general law, notwithstanding Article VII, Section 9(a) of the Florida Constitution, which allows counties and municipalities to levy property taxes for their respective purposes. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2027.

Source: PSI Sci plain-language restatement of the official ballot summary above (not an opinion). Source of the official wording: Florida Division of Elections

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Arguments for and against

We show only arguments that a named group has published, word for word, with a link. We have not added any for this measure yet, so we are not showing one side over the other. To read the case made for and against it now:

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Officials and money

Authors: The Florida Legislature

Placed on the ballot by the Legislature as HJR 1F. Bill history, text and recorded votes on the official legislature site.

Money: No cost estimate published yet. No linked contracts or vendors yet.

Words on this page, explained (6)
Bond
A way to borrow money. A government sells bonds to raise money now and promises to pay it back with interest over time. Bonds repaid from taxes often need voter approval.
Exemption
A rule that removes certain people, property or activities from a tax or requirement.
Homestead exemption
A homestead is the home you own and live in as your main residence. A homestead exemption removes part of its value from property tax, so tax is charged on a smaller amount. Texas school districts must offer one; other local governments may offer more. In Florida, the Constitution currently sets a homestead exemption of up to $50,000 (the second $25,000 does not apply to school taxes).
Legislature
The elected body that makes laws. In Texas it has a House of Representatives (150 members) and a Senate (31 members). In Florida it has a House of Representatives (120 members) and a Senate (40 members).
Property tax
A tax on land, buildings and some business property, based on its value. In Texas it is set and collected by local governments (cities, counties, school districts and special districts), not by the state.
Referendum
A vote by the public on a law or measure. Texas statewide propositions are how voters decide on constitutional amendments.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record st-fl-2026-amend-03 · catalog st-fl-dos-ballot-measures-2026 · updated 2026-11-03 by builder v003