The Florida House Just Voted to Eliminate Property Taxes — Here's What It Means for Palm Beach County
On February 19, 2026, the Florida House voted 80-30 to pass HJR 203 — a constitutional amendment proposal that would phase out non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties. Important update: HJR 203 died in the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 13, 2026, when the regular session ended. It remains one of the most serious property-tax proposals in years — and Governor DeSantis has signaled a dedicated special session before the end of July as the route to get something on the November 2026 ballot.
HJR 203 was a proposed constitutional amendment to phase out the non-school portion of property taxes on homesteaded (primary residence) properties. The Florida House passed it 80-30 on February 19, 2026 per Florida House + Newsweek + FOX 35. The mechanism: increase the homestead exemption by $100,000 per year for 10 years beginning in 2027, reaching full exemption from non-school ad valorem taxes by 2037 per Florida House official. School district levies would remain. Current status (verified): HJR 203 died in the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 13, 2026 — it never received a hearing or floor vote in the Senate per Florida Senate official + Florida House official. Live path: DeSantis is pushing for a dedicated property-tax special session before the end of July 2026 to place an amendment on the November ballot, which would require 60% voter approval to pass. Engine 6th content category — legislative/policy market commentary.
I've watched a lot of legislation move through Tallahassee in 28 years. Most of it was noise. This one isn't — even though, for now, it hasn't crossed the finish line.
HJR 203 is no longer active in the Senate. It died in the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 13, 2026, when the regular session ended, without receiving a hearing or floor vote per Florida Senate official + Florida House official.
Property-tax reform was also excluded from the April special session agenda. The live path today: DeSantis has said he will call a dedicated property-tax special session before the end of July 2026, once the state budget is finalized, to keep a possible November 2026 ballot measure alive per propertyexemption + Barnes Walker. This page will be updated as things develop.
What HJR 203 Actually Did
HJR 203 targeted the non-school portion of property taxes on your primary residence. The House language said the homestead exemption would increase by $100,000 per year beginning in 2027, for 10 years. By 2037, homesteaded properties would be exempt from all ad valorem taxation other than school district levies per Florida House official.
In plain English: the school-tax piece stays. The county, city, and certain non-school local tax burden is the part this proposal was trying to phase out.
Another major point: counties and municipalities would be constitutionally prohibited from reducing total funding for law enforcement, firefighters, and other first responders below 2024 or 2025 levels, per the House summary. (Note: a version of the legislative analysis cites the higher of 2025-26 or 2026-27 funding levels — the exact text should be confirmed in the final version of any proposal that advances.)
Verified Timeline
- February 19, 2026: Florida House passes HJR 203 by a vote of 80-30, mostly along party lines. The Senate receives the bill the same day.
- February 22, 2026: Senate President Ben Albritton calls the proposal "fascinating" but signals the Senate may put forward its own measure.
- March 13, 2026: Regular session ends. HJR 203 dies in the Senate Appropriations Committee with no hearing or floor vote.
- April 2026: The April special session ends without addressing property-tax reform.
- Late May / July 2026: After the state budget is finalized, DeSantis pushes for a dedicated special session before the end of July to place an amendment on the November ballot.
What This Could Mean for Palm Beach County Homeowners
If a proposal like this eventually becomes law, many Palm Beach County homeowners would still pay school taxes, but the non-school portion of the bill on a homesteaded home could shrink dramatically over time.
That matters because property taxes are part of the monthly cost conversation. Buyers do not just shop price anymore. They shop monthly payment, tax burden, insurance burden, and long-term affordability. So even though HJR 203 died in the Senate, the topic is still changing the conversation.
Why This Matters for Buyers and Sellers Right Now
Serious buyers, relocation clients, and advisers are already paying attention. If a proposal like this gains real traction in a special session, Florida becomes even more attractive to buyers coming from high-tax states.
In Palm Beach County, that can influence demand, urgency, and pricing behavior before any law ever takes effect. If you are buying a primary residence, this becomes part of your long-term math. If you are selling, it becomes part of how buyers may value your property and compare Florida ownership costs to other states.
Buyers Shop Total Cost — Not Just Price Tax + Insurance + Monthly Payment + Long-TermWhat I Would Watch Next
- Whether DeSantis calls the dedicated property-tax special session before the end of July 2026
- Whether the Florida Senate produces its own framework (a less aggressive version, per signals from Sen. Hooper) rather than reviving HJR 203
- Whether any amendment reaches the November 2026 ballot — and remember it requires 60% voter approval to pass
- How national media and out-of-state buyers react if a proposal gains momentum
Bottom Line
This is not a done deal — and for now, HJR 203 died in the Senate. But it was one of the most serious property-tax proposals Florida has seen in years, and the issue has real potential to affect buyer psychology, seller positioning, and homeowner planning in Palm Beach County. If you want help understanding how this could affect your property value, purchase timing, or selling strategy, call Brian Wilder at 561-201-4717.
Florida Property Tax Elimination Proposal Explained
Or call directly: 561-201-4717
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HJR 203 already law?+
Would it eliminate all property taxes?+
So is nothing happening now?+
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Brian Wilder
The Wilder Real Estate Group at Keller Williams Wellington
Florida Real Estate Broker since 1996 · 1,500+ Palm Beach County homes sold
561-201-4717
Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed and reflects the verified legislative status at the time of publication (May 24, 2026). Verified facts per Florida House of Representatives official (flhouse.gov) + Florida Senate official (flsenate.gov) + Newsweek + FOX 35 + Florida Institute of CPAs + propertyexemption + Barnes Walker: HJR 203 is a proposed constitutional amendment to phase out the non-school portion of ad valorem property taxes on homesteaded properties. The Florida House passed it by a vote of 80-30 on February 19, 2026, mostly along party lines; the Senate received it the same day. The mechanism: increase the homestead exemption by $100,000 per year for 10 years beginning in 2027, toward full exemption from non-school ad valorem taxes by 2037; school district levies remain. The proposal prohibits counties and municipalities from reducing total law-enforcement/firefighter/first-responder funding below a benchmark (the official House summary cites 2024 or 2025; a version of the legislative analysis cites the higher of 2025-26 or 2026-27 — confirm final text). VERIFIED CURRENT STATUS: HJR 203 died in the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 13, 2026, when the regular session ended, without a hearing or floor vote in the Senate (Last Action 3/13/2026 Senate — Died in Appropriations per flsenate.gov + flhouse.gov). Property-tax reform was excluded from the April special session. DeSantis has indicated he seeks a dedicated special session before the end of July 2026, after the state budget is finalized, to place a possible amendment on the November 2026 ballot; any constitutional amendment requires a 60% legislative supermajority to reach the ballot and 60% voter approval to pass. Other related 2026 session proposals (HJR 201, 205, 209, 211, 213) did not advance to the ballot. This is an evolving legislative situation; details, dates, and status may change. This information is general education and market commentary, and does not constitute tax, legal, financial, or investment advice specific to your situation. For specific tax questions consult the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser and a qualified tax or legal advisor. Equal Housing Opportunity.