Florida Senate - 2012                             CS for SJR 314
       
       
       
       By the Committee on Judiciary; and Senator Simmons
       
       
       
       
       590-01563-12                                           2012314c1
    1                       Senate Joint Resolution                     
    2         A joint resolution proposing amendments to Sections 4
    3         and 6 of Article VII and Section 27 of Article XII and
    4         the creation of two new Sections in Article XII of the
    5         State Constitution to allow the Legislature by general
    6         law to prohibit increases in the assessed value of
    7         homestead and specified nonhomestead property if the
    8         just value of the property decreases, reduce the
    9         limitation on annual assessment increases applicable
   10         to nonhomestead real property, provide an additional
   11         homestead exemption for owners of homestead property,
   12         authorize the Legislature to adjust the amount of the
   13         exemption, provide that the additional exemption is to
   14         be reduced by the difference between the just value
   15         and the assessed value, delay a future repeal of
   16         provisions limiting annual assessment increases for
   17         specified nonhomestead real property, and provide
   18         effective dates.
   19  
   20  Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   21  
   22         That the following amendments to Sections 4 and 6 of
   23  Article VII and Section 27 of Article XII and the creation of
   24  two new Sections in Article XII of the State Constitution are
   25  agreed to and shall be submitted to the electors of this state
   26  for approval or rejection at the next general election or at an
   27  earlier special election specifically authorized by law for that
   28  purpose:
   29                             ARTICLE VII                           
   30                        FINANCE AND TAXATION                       
   31         SECTION 4. Taxation; assessments.—By general law
   32  regulations shall be prescribed which shall secure a just
   33  valuation of all property for ad valorem taxation, provided:
   34         (a) Agricultural land, land producing high water recharge
   35  to Florida’s aquifers, or land used exclusively for
   36  noncommercial recreational purposes may be classified by general
   37  law and assessed solely on the basis of character or use.
   38         (b) As provided by general law and subject to conditions,
   39  limitations, and reasonable definitions specified therein, land
   40  used for conservation purposes shall be classified by general
   41  law and assessed solely on the basis of character or use.
   42         (c) Pursuant to general law tangible personal property held
   43  for sale as stock in trade and livestock may be valued for
   44  taxation at a specified percentage of its value, may be
   45  classified for tax purposes, or may be exempted from taxation.
   46         (d) All persons entitled to a homestead exemption under
   47  Section 6 of this Article shall have their homestead assessed at
   48  just value as of January 1 of the year following the effective
   49  date of this amendment. This assessment shall change only as
   50  provided in this subsection.
   51         (1) Assessments subject to this subsection shall change be
   52  changed annually on January 1 1st of each year.; but those
   53  changes in assessments
   54         a. A change in an assessment may shall not exceed the lower
   55  of the following:
   56         1.a. Three percent (3%) of the assessment for the prior
   57  year.
   58         2.b. The percent change in the Consumer Price Index for all
   59  urban consumers, U.S. City Average, all items 1967=100, or a
   60  successor index reports for the preceding calendar year as
   61  initially reported by the United States Department of Labor,
   62  Bureau of Labor Statistics.
   63         b. The legislature may provide by general law that, except
   64  for changes, additions, reductions, or improvements to homestead
   65  property assessed as provided in paragraph (5), an assessment
   66  may not increase if the just value of the property is less than
   67  the just value of the property on the preceding January 1.
   68         (2) An No assessment may not shall exceed just value.
   69         (3) After a any change of ownership, as provided by general
   70  law, homestead property shall be assessed at just value as of
   71  January 1 of the following year, unless the provisions of
   72  paragraph (8) apply. Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed
   73  as provided in this subsection.
   74         (4) New homestead property shall be assessed at just value
   75  as of January 1 1st of the year following the establishment of
   76  the homestead, unless the provisions of paragraph (8) apply.
   77  That assessment shall only change only as provided in this
   78  subsection.
   79         (5) Changes, additions, reductions, or improvements to
   80  homestead property shall be assessed as provided for by general
   81  law.; provided, However, after the adjustment for any change,
   82  addition, reduction, or improvement, the property shall be
   83  assessed as provided in this subsection.
   84         (6) In the event of a termination of homestead status, the
   85  property shall be assessed as provided by general law.
   86         (7) The provisions of this subsection amendment are
   87  severable. If a provision any of the provisions of this
   88  subsection is amendment shall be held unconstitutional by a any
   89  court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of the such court
   90  does shall not affect or impair any remaining provisions of this
   91  subsection amendment.
   92         (8)a. A person who establishes a new homestead as of
   93  January 1, 2009, or January 1 of any subsequent year and who has
   94  received a homestead exemption pursuant to Section 6 of this
   95  Article as of January 1 of either of the 2 two years immediately
   96  preceding the establishment of a the new homestead is entitled
   97  to have the new homestead assessed at less than just value. If
   98  this revision is approved in January of 2008, a person who
   99  establishes a new homestead as of January 1, 2008, is entitled
  100  to have the new homestead assessed at less than just value only
  101  if that person received a homestead exemption on January 1,
  102  2007. The assessed value of the newly established homestead
  103  shall be determined as follows:
  104         1. If the just value of the new homestead is greater than
  105  or equal to the just value of the prior homestead as of January
  106  1 of the year in which the prior homestead was abandoned, the
  107  assessed value of the new homestead shall be the just value of
  108  the new homestead minus an amount equal to the lesser of
  109  $500,000 or the difference between the just value and the
  110  assessed value of the prior homestead as of January 1 of the
  111  year in which the prior homestead was abandoned. Thereafter, the
  112  homestead shall be assessed as provided in this subsection.
  113         2. If the just value of the new homestead is less than the
  114  just value of the prior homestead as of January 1 of the year in
  115  which the prior homestead was abandoned, the assessed value of
  116  the new homestead shall be equal to the just value of the new
  117  homestead divided by the just value of the prior homestead and
  118  multiplied by the assessed value of the prior homestead.
  119  However, if the difference between the just value of the new
  120  homestead and the assessed value of the new homestead calculated
  121  pursuant to this sub-subparagraph is greater than $500,000, the
  122  assessed value of the new homestead shall be increased so that
  123  the difference between the just value and the assessed value
  124  equals $500,000. Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed as
  125  provided in this subsection.
  126         b. By general law and subject to conditions specified
  127  therein, the legislature shall provide for application of this
  128  paragraph to property owned by more than one person.
  129         (e) The legislature may, by general law, for assessment
  130  purposes and subject to the provisions of this subsection, allow
  131  counties and municipalities to authorize by ordinance that
  132  historic property may be assessed solely on the basis of
  133  character or use. Such character or use assessment shall apply
  134  only to the jurisdiction adopting the ordinance. The
  135  requirements for eligible properties must be specified by
  136  general law.
  137         (f) A county may, in the manner prescribed by general law,
  138  provide for a reduction in the assessed value of homestead
  139  property to the extent of any increase in the assessed value of
  140  that property which results from the construction or
  141  reconstruction of the property for the purpose of providing
  142  living quarters for one or more natural or adoptive grandparents
  143  or parents of the owner of the property or of the owner’s spouse
  144  if at least one of the grandparents or parents for whom the
  145  living quarters are provided is 62 years of age or older. Such a
  146  reduction may not exceed the lesser of the following:
  147         (1) The increase in assessed value resulting from
  148  construction or reconstruction of the property.
  149         (2) Twenty percent of the total assessed value of the
  150  property as improved.
  151         (g) For all levies other than school district levies,
  152  assessments of residential real property, as defined by general
  153  law, which contains nine units or fewer and which is not subject
  154  to the assessment limitations set forth in subsections (a)
  155  through (d) shall change only as provided in this subsection.
  156         (1) Assessments subject to this subsection shall be changed
  157  annually on the date of assessment provided by law. However,;
  158  but those changes in assessments may shall not exceed 7 ten
  159  percent (10%) of the assessment for the prior year. The
  160  legislature may provide by general law that, except for changes,
  161  additions, reductions, or improvements to property assessed as
  162  provided in paragraph (4), an assessment may not increase if the
  163  just value of the property is less than the just value of the
  164  property on the preceding date of assessment provided by law.
  165         (2) An No assessment may not shall exceed just value.
  166         (3) After a change of ownership or control, as defined by
  167  general law, including any change of ownership of a legal entity
  168  that owns the property, such property shall be assessed at just
  169  value as of the next assessment date. Thereafter, such property
  170  shall be assessed as provided in this subsection.
  171         (4) Changes, additions, reductions, or improvements to such
  172  property shall be assessed as provided for by general law.;
  173  However, after the adjustment for any change, addition,
  174  reduction, or improvement, the property shall be assessed as
  175  provided in this subsection.
  176         (h) For all levies other than school district levies,
  177  assessments of real property that is not subject to the
  178  assessment limitations set forth in subsections (a) through (d)
  179  and (g) shall change only as provided in this subsection.
  180         (1) Assessments subject to this subsection shall be changed
  181  annually on the date of assessment provided by law. However,;
  182  but those changes in assessments may shall not exceed 7 ten
  183  percent (10%) of the assessment for the prior year. The
  184  legislature may provide by general law that, except for changes,
  185  additions, reductions, or improvements to property assessed as
  186  provided in paragraph (5), an assessment may not increase if the
  187  just value of the property is less than the just value of the
  188  property on the preceding date of assessment provided by law.
  189         (2) An No assessment may not shall exceed just value.
  190         (3) The legislature must provide that such property shall
  191  be assessed at just value as of the next assessment date after a
  192  qualifying improvement, as defined by general law, is made to
  193  such property. Thereafter, such property shall be assessed as
  194  provided in this subsection.
  195         (4) The legislature may provide that such property shall be
  196  assessed at just value as of the next assessment date after a
  197  change of ownership or control, as defined by general law,
  198  including any change of ownership of the legal entity that owns
  199  the property. Thereafter, such property shall be assessed as
  200  provided in this subsection.
  201         (5) Changes, additions, reductions, or improvements to such
  202  property shall be assessed as provided for by general law.;
  203  However, after the adjustment for any change, addition,
  204  reduction, or improvement, the property shall be assessed as
  205  provided in this subsection.
  206         (i) The legislature, by general law and subject to
  207  conditions specified therein, may prohibit the consideration of
  208  the following in the determination of the assessed value of real
  209  property used for residential purposes:
  210         (1) Any change or improvement made for the purpose of
  211  improving the property’s resistance to wind damage.
  212         (2) The installation of a renewable energy source device.
  213         (j)(1) The assessment of the following working waterfront
  214  properties shall be based upon the current use of the property:
  215         a. Land used predominantly for commercial fishing purposes.
  216         b. Land that is accessible to the public and used for
  217  vessel launches into waters that are navigable.
  218         c. Marinas and drystacks that are open to the public.
  219         d. Water-dependent marine manufacturing facilities,
  220  commercial fishing facilities, and marine vessel construction
  221  and repair facilities and their support activities.
  222         (2) The assessment benefit provided by this subsection is
  223  subject to conditions and limitations and reasonable definitions
  224  as specified by the legislature by general law.
  225         SECTION 6. Homestead exemptions.—
  226         (a) Every person who has the legal or equitable title to
  227  real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the
  228  owner, or another legally or naturally dependent upon the owner,
  229  shall be exempt from taxation thereon, except assessments for
  230  special benefits, up to the assessed valuation of $25,000
  231  twenty-five thousand dollars and, for all levies other than
  232  school district levies, on the assessed valuation greater than
  233  $50,000 fifty thousand dollars and up to $75,000 seventy-five
  234  thousand dollars, upon establishment of right thereto in the
  235  manner prescribed by law. The real estate may be held by legal
  236  or equitable title, by the entireties, jointly, in common, as a
  237  condominium, or indirectly by stock ownership or membership
  238  representing the owner’s or member’s proprietary interest in a
  239  corporation owning a fee or a leasehold initially in excess of
  240  98 ninety-eight years. The exemption shall not apply with
  241  respect to any assessment roll until such roll is first
  242  determined to be in compliance with the provisions of Section 4
  243  by a state agency designated by general law. This exemption is
  244  repealed on the effective date of any amendment to this Article
  245  which provides for the assessment of homestead property at less
  246  than just value.
  247         (b) Not more than one exemption under subsection (a) and
  248  one exemption under subsection (f) shall be allowed any
  249  individual or family unit or with respect to any residential
  250  unit. No exemption shall exceed the value of the real estate
  251  assessable to the owner or, in case of ownership through stock
  252  or membership in a corporation, the value of the proportion
  253  which the interest in the corporation bears to the assessed
  254  value of the property.
  255         (c) By general law and subject to conditions specified
  256  therein, the legislature may provide to renters, who are
  257  permanent residents, ad valorem tax relief on all ad valorem tax
  258  levies. Such ad valorem tax relief shall be in the form and
  259  amount established by general law.
  260         (d) The legislature may, by general law, allow counties or
  261  municipalities, for the purpose of their respective tax levies
  262  and subject to the provisions of general law, to grant an
  263  additional homestead tax exemption not exceeding $50,000 fifty
  264  thousand dollars to any person who has the legal or equitable
  265  title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent
  266  residence of the owner and who has attained age 65 sixty-five
  267  and whose household income, as defined by general law, does not
  268  exceed $20,000 twenty thousand dollars. The general law must
  269  allow counties and municipalities to grant this additional
  270  exemption, within the limits prescribed in this subsection, by
  271  ordinance adopted in the manner prescribed by general law, and
  272  must provide for the periodic adjustment of the income
  273  limitation prescribed in this subsection for changes in the cost
  274  of living.
  275         (e) Each veteran who is age 65 or older who is partially or
  276  totally permanently disabled shall receive a discount from the
  277  amount of the ad valorem tax otherwise owed on homestead
  278  property the veteran owns and resides in if the disability was
  279  combat related, the veteran was a resident of this state at the
  280  time of entering the military service of the United States, and
  281  the veteran was honorably discharged upon separation from
  282  military service. The discount shall be in a percentage equal to
  283  the percentage of the veteran’s permanent, service-connected
  284  disability as determined by the United States Department of
  285  Veterans Affairs. To qualify for the discount granted by this
  286  subsection, an applicant must submit to the county property
  287  appraiser, by March 1, proof of residency at the time of
  288  entering military service, an official letter from the United
  289  States Department of Veterans Affairs stating the percentage of
  290  the veteran’s service-connected disability and such evidence
  291  that reasonably identifies the disability as combat related, and
  292  a copy of the veteran’s honorable discharge. If the property
  293  appraiser denies the request for a discount, the appraiser must
  294  notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the denial,
  295  and the veteran may reapply. The legislature may, by general
  296  law, waive the annual application requirement in subsequent
  297  years. This subsection shall take effect December 7, 2006, is
  298  self-executing, and does not require implementing legislation.
  299         (f) Every person who has established the right to receive
  300  the homestead exemption provided in subsection (a) is entitled
  301  to an additional homestead exemption for all levies other than
  302  school district levies in an amount equal to 30 percent of the
  303  homestead property’s just value in excess of $75,000 but less
  304  than or equal to $200,000, plus 15 percent of the homestead
  305  property’s just value in excess of $200,000 but less than or
  306  equal to $400,000. The value of the additional homestead
  307  exemption shall be reduced by the difference between the just
  308  value of the property and the assessed value of the property
  309  determined under Section 4(d). By general law, the legislature
  310  may adjust the percent of just value or the maximum and minimum
  311  levels of just value used to calculate the additional homestead
  312  exemption, but may not reduce the value of the additional
  313  exemption below the value established in this subsection.
  314                             ARTICLE XII                           
  315                              SCHEDULE                             
  316         SECTION 27. Property tax exemptions and limitations on
  317  property tax assessments.—The amendments to Sections 3, 4, and 6
  318  of Article VII, providing a $25,000 exemption for tangible
  319  personal property, providing an additional $25,000 homestead
  320  exemption, authorizing transfer of the accrued benefit from the
  321  limitations on the assessment of homestead property, and this
  322  section, if submitted to the electors of this state for approval
  323  or rejection at a special election authorized by law to be held
  324  on January 29, 2008, shall take effect upon approval by the
  325  electors and shall operate retroactively to January 1, 2008, or,
  326  if submitted to the electors of this state for approval or
  327  rejection at the next general election, shall take effect
  328  January 1 of the year following such general election. The
  329  amendments to Section 4 of Article VII creating subsections (g)
  330  (f) and (h) (g) of that section, creating a limitation on annual
  331  assessment increases for specified real property, shall take
  332  effect upon approval of the electors and shall first limit
  333  assessments beginning January 1, 2009, if approved at a special
  334  election held on January 29, 2008, or shall first limit
  335  assessments beginning January 1, 2010, if approved at the
  336  general election held in November of 2008. Subsections (g) (f)
  337  and (h) (g) of Section 4 of Article VII are repealed effective
  338  January 1, 2023 2019; however, the legislature shall by joint
  339  resolution propose an amendment abrogating the repeal of
  340  subsections (g) (f) and (h) (g), which shall be submitted to the
  341  electors of this state for approval or rejection at the general
  342  election of 2022 2018 and, if approved, shall take effect
  343  January 1, 2023 2019.
  344         Property assessments.—This section and the amendments to
  345  Section 4 of Article VII authorizing the legislature to prohibit
  346  increases in the assessed value of homestead property that has a
  347  declining just value and reducing the limit on the maximum
  348  annual increase in the assessed value of nonhomestead property
  349  from 10 percent to 7 percent shall take effect January 1, 2013.
  350         Additional homestead exemption.—This section and the
  351  amendment to Section 6 of Article VII providing for an
  352  additional homestead exemption shall take effect January 1,
  353  2013.
  354         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
  355  placed on the ballot:
  356                      CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT                     
  357                     ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 4, 6                    
  358                       ARTICLE XII, SECTION 27                     
  359         PROPERTY TAX LIMITATIONS; ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.—
  360         (1) In certain circumstances, the law requires the assessed
  361  value of real property to increase when the just value of the
  362  property is greater than its assessed value. This amendment
  363  authorizes the Legislature, by general law, to prohibit such
  364  increase in the assessment of property whose just value is less
  365  than its just value on the preceding assessment date. This
  366  amendment takes effect January 1, 2013.
  367         (2) The State Constitution generally limits increases in
  368  the assessed value of nonhomestead real property for property
  369  tax purposes to 10 percent annually. This amendment reduces that
  370  limit to 7 percent. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2013.
  371         (3) This amendment also provides owners of homestead
  372  property an additional homestead exemption for all levies other
  373  than school district levies in an amount equal to 30 percent of
  374  the homestead property’s just value between $75,000 and
  375  $200,000, plus 15 percent of the homestead property’s just value
  376  between $200,000 and $400,000. The Legislature may adjust the
  377  amount of the additional homestead exemption but may not reduce
  378  it below what is provided in this amendment. The value of the
  379  additional homestead exemption shall be reduced by the
  380  difference between the just value of the property and its
  381  assessed value. This amendment takes effect January 1, 2013.
  382         (4) The State Constitution provides for the automatic
  383  repeal of the provisions that provide a general limit on annual
  384  increases in the assessed value of nonhomestead properties for
  385  the purposes of property taxes. This amendment delays until 2023
  386  the repeal of those provisions, which is currently scheduled to
  387  occur in 2019.