TALLAHASSSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling Florida lawmakers back to the Capitol next week for a special session on property taxes, unveiling a proposal Wednesday that would ask voters to begin phasing out property taxes on homesteaded homes.
Speaking in Tampa, DeSantis said he will issue a proclamation for a special session beginning Monday. The goal, he said, is to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot.
WATCH BELOW: Gov. DeSantis tees up major property tax fight for lawmakers
The governor's proposal would initially raise the homestead exemption to $250,000. DeSantis said that would eliminate property taxes for about 60% of Florida homeowners with homesteaded property.
The proposal would also require the Legislature to create a schedule to eventually eliminate homestead property taxes altogether.
"Once you put a schedule in, and this would be something that we'd work with the legislature on after the vote is taken in November— if it's successful— when you raise to $500,000 limit, that's 92% of all Florida residents would be tax free," said DeSantis.
The plan would need approval from 60% of the House and Senate to reach the ballot. If lawmakers approve it, 60% of voters would then need to support the measure in November for it to become part of the state constitution.
The plan also includes several guardrails. DeSantis said remaining local property tax revenue from commercial and non-homestead residential property would be limited to core services such as schools, police and fire services. The plan would also cut the annual assessment growth cap for small businesses from 10% to 5%.
Another provision would allow the state to require new Florida residents to wait up to five years before qualifying for the full property tax benefit. DeSantis said that the measure is intended to prevent the measure from creating a new incentive for people to move to Florida just to avoid property taxes.
Finally, the governor said he would seek a state trust fund to provide grants to local governments for core services, including in rural areas that may have a smaller tax base.
Senate President Ben Albritton signaled support for the proposal in a memo to senators Wednesday, saying the chamber will convene Monday for Special Session F and prepare to consider a joint resolution placing the measure on the November ballot.
"We trust our constituents, and they deserve a chance to change the system and decide for themselves what role property taxes should have in our state,” Albritton wrote.
Albritton said he expects the governor’s proposal to be filed as Senate Joint Resolution 2-F and Senate Bill 4-F. He said both measures will be referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration Monday, with senators told to be ready for floor action Tuesday and, if necessary, Wednesday.
"In my view, the proposal the Governor explained today does that," Albritton wrote. "I can't think of a more meaningful way to celebrate America's 250th than the passage of $250,000 in tax relief for every Florida homeowner."
The House response was cooler.
House Speaker Daniel Perez noted in a brief statement that the House has already passed its own proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate homestead property taxes.
"We are pleased the Governor has finally gotten around to share an actual proposal," Perez said in a statement. "We look forward to reviewing it once we have received the language."
The House's proposal, approved earlier this year, would have moved more aggressively to eliminate homestead property taxes while preserving funding for schools.
Democrats sharply criticized the governor's plan Wednesday, arguing it is rushed, unclear and risks undermining local governments. House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell called the property tax push a diversion from what she said are more pressing affordability issues.
"This discussion on property taxes is a distraction to keep us from talking about the governor’s failed record when it comes to addressing the skyrocketing property insurance rates that Floridians are experiencing all the way down from the Keys all the way up to the Panhandle," Driskell said.
Driskell said Democrats are open to affordability solutions, but not if they come at the expense of working families, small businesses or local governments that rely on property tax revenue.
She warned the plan could threaten services such as road repairs, public safety, parks, schools, libraries and hospitals.
"The plan presented today strips trust for local governments, and it leaves a door open for the state to choose who gets help and who does not," Driskell said.
The special session is expected to begin Monday morning, lasting until Wednesday at the latest. Lawmakers need to move quickly to finalize ballot language in time for voters to consider the measure in November.