HJR 805

1	House Joint Resolution
2	A joint resolution proposing amendments to Sections 3, 4,
3	6, and 9 of Article VII and Section 1 of Article VIII and
4	the creation of Sections 27 and 28 of Article XII of the
5	State Constitution, to require an exemption from ad
6	valorem taxation for tangible personal property, to
7	provide for the transfer of the accrued benefit from the
8	limitation on the assessed value of homestead property, to
9	provide for assessing rent-restricted affordable housing
10	and commercial and public-access waterfront property by
11	general law, to limit assessment increases for
12	nonhomestead real property, to increase the homestead
13	exemption, to create an additional homestead exemption for
14	first-time homestead property owners, to provide a
15	complete homestead exemption for low-income seniors, to
16	require the Legislature to limit county, municipality, and
17	special district authority to increase ad valorem taxes,
18	to require each county to have an elected property
19	appraiser, and to provide an effective date if such
20	amendments are adopted.
21
22	Be It Resolved by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
23
24	That the following amendments to Sections 3, 4, 6, and 9 of
25	Article VII and Section 1 of Article VIII and the creation of
26	Sections 27 and 28 of Article XII of the State Constitution are
27	agreed to and shall be submitted to the electors of this state
28	for approval or rejection at the next general election or at an
29	earlier special election specifically authorized by law for that
30	purpose:
31	ARTICLE VII
32	FINANCE AND TAXATION
33	SECTION 3.  Taxes; exemptions.--
34	(a)  All property owned by a municipality and used
35	exclusively by it for municipal or public purposes shall be
36	exempt from taxation.  A municipality, owning property outside
37	the municipality, may be required by general law to make payment
38	to the taxing unit in which the property is located.  Such
39	portions of property as are used predominantly for educational,
40	literary, scientific, religious or charitable purposes may be
41	exempted by general law from taxation.
42	(b)  There shall be exempt from taxation, cumulatively, to
43	every head of a family residing in this state, household goods
44	and personal effects to the value fixed by general law, not less
45	than one thousand dollars, and to every widow or widower or
46	person who is blind or totally and permanently disabled,
47	property to the value fixed by general law not less than five
48	hundred dollars.
49	(c)  Any county or municipality may, for the purpose of its
50	respective tax levy and subject to the provisions of this
51	subsection and general law, grant community and economic
52	development ad valorem tax exemptions to new businesses and
53	expansions of existing businesses, as defined by general law.
54	Such an exemption may be granted only by ordinance of the county
55	or municipality, and only after the electors of the county or
56	municipality voting on such question in a referendum authorize
57	the county or municipality to adopt such ordinances.  An
58	exemption so granted shall apply to improvements to real
59	property made by or for the use of a new business and
60	improvements to real property related to the expansion of an
61	existing business and shall also apply to tangible personal
62	property of such new business and tangible personal property
63	related to the expansion of an existing business. The amount or
64	limits of the amount of such exemption shall be specified by
65	general law.  The period of time for which such exemption may be
66	granted to a new business or expansion of an existing business
67	shall be determined by general law.  The authority to grant such
68	exemption shall expire ten years from the date of approval by
69	the electors of the county or municipality, and may be renewable
70	by referendum as provided by general law.
71	(d)  By general law and subject to conditions specified
72	therein, there may be granted an ad valorem tax exemption to a
73	renewable energy source device and to real property on which
74	such device is installed and operated, to the value fixed by
75	general law not to exceed the original cost of the device, and
76	for the period of time fixed by general law not to exceed ten
77	years.
78	(e)  Any county or municipality may, for the purpose of its
79	respective tax levy and subject to the provisions of this
80	subsection and general law, grant historic preservation ad
81	valorem tax exemptions to owners of historic properties.  This
82	exemption may be granted only by ordinance of the county or
83	municipality.  The amount or limits of the amount of this
84	exemption and the requirements for eligible properties must be
85	specified by general law.  The period of time for which this
86	exemption may be granted to a property owner shall be determined
87	by general law.
88	(f)  By general law and subject to conditions specified
89	therein, twenty-five thousand dollars of the assessed value of
90	property subject to tangible personal property tax shall be
91	exempt from ad valorem taxation.
92	SECTION 4.  Taxation; assessments.--By general law
93	regulations shall be prescribed which shall secure a just
94	valuation of all property for ad valorem taxation, provided:
95	(a)  Agricultural land, land producing high water recharge
96	to Florida's aquifers, or land used exclusively for
97	noncommercial recreational purposes may be classified by general
98	law and assessed solely on the basis of character or use.
99	(b)  Pursuant to general law tangible personal property
100	held for sale as stock in trade and livestock may be valued for
101	taxation at a specified percentage of its value, may be
102	classified for tax purposes, or may be exempted from taxation.
103	(c)  All persons entitled to a homestead exemption under
104	Section 6 of this Article shall have their homestead assessed at
105	just value as of January 1 of the year following the effective
106	date of this amendment. This assessment shall change only as
107	provided herein.
108	(1)  Assessments subject to this provision shall be changed
109	annually on January 1st of each year; but those changes in
110	assessments shall not exceed the lower of the following:
111	a.  Three percent (3%) of the assessment for the prior
112	year.
113	b.  The percent change in the Consumer Price Index for all
114	urban consumers, U.S. City Average, all items 1967=100, or
115	successor reports for the preceding calendar year as initially
116	reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of
117	Labor Statistics.
118	(2)  No assessment shall exceed just value.
119	(3)  After any change of ownership, as provided by general
120	law, homestead property shall be assessed at just value as of
121	January 1 of the following year, unless the provisions of
122	paragraph (8) apply. Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed
123	as provided herein.
124	(4)  New homestead property shall be assessed at just value
125	as of January 1st of the year following the establishment of the
126	homestead, unless the provisions of paragraph (8) apply. That
127	assessment shall only change as provided herein.
128	(5)  Changes, additions, reductions, or improvements to
129	homestead property shall be assessed as provided for by general
130	law; provided, however, after the adjustment for any change,
131	addition, reduction, or improvement, the property shall be
132	assessed as provided herein.
133	(6)  In the event of a termination of homestead status, the
134	property shall be assessed as provided by general law.
135	(7)  The provisions of this amendment are severable. If any
136	of the provisions of this amendment shall be held
137	unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the
138	decision of such court shall not affect or impair any remaining
139	provisions of this amendment.
140	(8)a.  For all levies other than school district levies, a
141	person who establishes a new homestead as of January 1, 2009, or
142	January 1 of any subsequent year and who has received a
143	homestead exemption pursuant to Section 6 of this Article as of
144	January 1 of either of the two years immediately preceding the
145	establishment of the new homestead is entitled to have the new
146	homestead assessed at less than just value. A person who
147	establishes a new homestead as of January 1, 2008, is entitled
148	to have the new homestead assessed at less than just value only
149	if that person received a homestead exemption on January 1,
150	2007. The assessed value of the newly established homestead
151	shall be determined as follows:
152	1.  If the just value of the new homestead is greater than
153	or equal to the just value of the prior homestead of the person
154	establishing the new homestead as of January 1 of the year in
155	which the prior homestead was abandoned, the assessed value of
156	the new homestead shall be the just value of the new homestead
157	minus an amount equal to the lesser of $1 million or the
158	difference between the just value and the assessed value of the
159	prior homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the prior
160	homestead was abandoned. Thereafter, the homestead shall be
161	assessed as provided herein.
162	2.  If the just value of the new homestead is less than the
163	just value of the prior homestead of the person establishing the
164	new homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the prior
165	homestead was abandoned, the assessed value of the new homestead
166	shall be equal to the just value of the new homestead divided by
167	the just value of the prior homestead and multiplied by the
168	assessed value of the prior homestead. However, if the
169	difference between the just value of the new homestead and the
170	assessed value of the new homestead calculated pursuant to this
171	sub-subparagraph is greater than $1 million, the assessed value
172	of the new homestead shall be increased so that the difference
173	between the just value and the assessed value equals $1 million.
174	Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed as provided herein.
175	b.  By general law and subject to conditions specified
176	therein, the legislature shall provide for application of this
177	paragraph to property owned by more than one person.
178	(d)  The legislature may, by general law, for assessment
179	purposes and subject to the provisions of this subsection, allow
180	counties and municipalities to authorize by ordinance that
181	historic property may be assessed solely on the basis of
182	character or use. Such character or use assessment shall apply
183	only to the jurisdiction adopting the ordinance. The
184	requirements for eligible properties must be specified by
185	general law.
186	(e)  A county may, in the manner prescribed by general law,
187	provide for a reduction in the assessed value of homestead
188	property to the extent of any increase in the assessed value of
189	that property which results from the construction or
190	reconstruction of the property for the purpose of providing
191	living quarters for one or more natural or adoptive grandparents
192	or parents of the owner of the property or of the owner's spouse
193	if at least one of the grandparents or parents for whom the
194	living quarters are provided is 62 years of age or older. Such a
195	reduction may not exceed the lesser of the following:
196	(1)  The increase in assessed value resulting from
197	construction or reconstruction of the property.
198	(2)  Twenty percent of the total assessed value of the
199	property as improved.
200	(f)  As defined by general law, real property that is used
201	to provide affordable housing and is subject to rent
202	restrictions imposed by a governmental agency may be assessed as
203	provided by general law, subject to conditions or limitations
204	specified therein. This subsection shall apply to all levies
205	other than school district levies.
206	(g)  As defined by general law, land that is used
207	exclusively for commercial fishing purposes or that is open to
208	the public and used predominantly for commercial water-dependent
209	activities or for public access to waters that are navigable may
210	be assessed as provided by general law, subject to conditions or
211	limitations specified therein. For purposes of this paragraph,
212	the term "water-dependent activity" means any activity that can
213	be conducted only on, in, over, or adjacent to waters that are
214	navigable and that requires direct access to water and involves
215	the use of water as an integral part of such activity. This
216	subsection shall apply to all levies other than school district
217	levies.
218	(h)  Increases in assessments each year for all property
219	other than property entitled to the assessment increase
220	limitations provided in this section shall not exceed the
221	limitations specified in paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of this
222	section.
223	SECTION 6.  Homestead exemptions.--
224	(a)  Every person who has the legal or equitable title to
225	real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the
226	owner, or another legally or naturally dependent upon the owner,
227	shall be exempt from taxation thereon, except assessments for
228	special benefits, up to the assessed valuation of twenty-five
229	five thousand dollars and, for all levies other than school
230	district levies, on the assessed valuation greater than fifty
231	thousand dollars and up to seventy-five thousand dollars, upon
232	establishment of right thereto in the manner prescribed by law.
233	The real estate may be held by legal or equitable title, by the
234	entireties, jointly, in common, as a condominium, or indirectly
235	by stock ownership or membership representing the owner's or
236	member's proprietary interest in a corporation owning a fee or a
237	leasehold initially in excess of ninety-eight years. The
238	exemption shall not apply with respect to any assessment roll
239	until such roll is first determined to be in compliance with the
240	provisions of Section 4 of this Article by a state agency
241	designated by general law. This exemption is repealed on the
242	effective date of any amendment to Section 4 of this Article
243	that provides for the assessment of homestead property at less
244	than just value.
245	(b)  Not more than one exemption shall be allowed any
246	individual or family unit or with respect to any residential
247	unit. No exemption shall exceed the value of the real estate
248	assessable to the owner or, in case of ownership through stock
249	or membership in a corporation, the value of the proportion
250	which the interest in the corporation bears to the assessed
251	value of the property.
252	(c)  As provided by general law and subject to conditions
253	specified therein, each person who establishes the right to
254	receive the homestead exemption provided in subsection (a)
255	within one year after purchasing the homestead property and who
256	had not previously owned property receiving the homestead
257	exemption provided in subsection (a) is entitled to an
258	additional homestead exemption in an amount equal to twenty-five
259	percent of the homestead property's just value on January 1 of
260	the year the homestead exemption is established, not to exceed
261	twenty-five percent of the median just value of homesteads in
262	the county in which the homestead is located in the year prior
263	to establishing the new homestead. This exemption is not
264	available if any owner of the property has previously owned
265	property that received the homestead exemption provided in
266	subsection (a). The additional homestead exemption shall be
267	reduced each year by the difference between the homestead's just
268	value and assessed value as determined under subsection (c) of
269	Section 4 of this Article until the value of the exemption is
270	reduced to zero. The exemption provided under this subsection
271	shall apply to all levies other than school district levies.
272	(c)  By general law and subject to conditions specified
273	therein, the exemption shall be increased to a total of twenty-
274	five thousand dollars of the assessed value of the real estate
275	for each school district levy. By general law and subject to
276	conditions specified therein, the exemption for all other levies
277	may be increased up to an amount not exceeding ten thousand
278	dollars of the assessed value of the real estate if the owner
279	has attained age sixty-five or is totally and permanently
280	disabled and if the owner is not entitled to the exemption
281	provided in subsection (d).
282	(d)  By general law and subject to conditions specified
283	therein, the exemption shall be increased to a total of the
284	following amounts of assessed value of real estate for each levy
285	other than those of school districts: fifteen thousand dollars
286	with respect to 1980 assessments; twenty thousand dollars with
287	respect to 1981 assessments; twenty-five thousand dollars with
288	respect to assessments for 1982 and each year thereafter.
289	However, such increase shall not apply with respect to any
290	assessment roll until such roll is first determined to be in
291	compliance with the provisions of section 4 by a state agency
292	designated by general law.  This subsection shall stand repealed
293	on the effective date of any amendment to section 4 which
294	provides for the assessment of homestead property at a specified
295	percentage of its just value.
296	(d)(e)  By general law and subject to conditions specified
297	therein, the Legislature may provide to renters, who are
298	permanent residents, ad valorem tax relief on all ad valorem tax
299	levies. Such ad valorem tax relief shall be in the form and
300	amount established by general law.
301	(e)(f)  The legislature may, by general law, allow counties
302	or municipalities, for the purpose of their respective tax
303	levies and subject to the provisions of general law, to grant an
304	additional homestead tax exemption not exceeding fifty thousand
305	dollars to any person who has the legal or equitable title to
306	real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the
307	owner and who has attained age sixty-five and whose household
308	income, as defined by general law, does not exceed twenty
309	thousand dollars. The general law must allow counties and
310	municipalities to grant this additional exemption, within the
311	limits prescribed in this subsection, by ordinance adopted in
312	the manner prescribed by general law, and must provide for the
313	periodic adjustment of the income limitation prescribed in this
314	subsection for changes in the cost of living.
315	(f)(g)  Each veteran who is age 65 or older who is
316	partially or totally permanently disabled shall receive a
317	discount from the amount of the ad valorem tax otherwise owed on
318	homestead property the veteran owns and resides in if the
319	disability was combat related, the veteran was a resident of
320	this state at the time of entering the military service of the
321	United States, and the veteran was honorably discharged upon
322	separation from military service. The discount shall be in a
323	percentage equal to the percentage of the veteran's permanent,
324	service-connected disability as determined by the United States
325	Department of Veterans Affairs. To qualify for the discount
326	granted by this subsection, an applicant must submit to the
327	county property appraiser, by March 1, proof of residency at the
328	time of entering military service, an official letter from the
329	United States Department of Veterans Affairs stating the
330	percentage of the veteran's service-connected disability and
331	such evidence that reasonably identifies the disability as
332	combat related, and a copy of the veteran's honorable discharge.
333	If the property appraiser denies the request for a discount, the
334	appraiser must notify the applicant in writing of the reasons
335	for the denial, and the veteran may reapply. The Legislature
336	may, by general law, waive the annual application requirement in
337	subsequent years. This subsection shall take effect December 7,
338	2006, is self-executing, and does not require implementing
339	legislation.
340	(g)  Real property owned and used as a homestead by a
341	person who has attained age sixty-five and whose household
342	income, as defined by general law, does not exceed $23,604 is
343	exempt from ad valorem taxation. The legislature shall provide
344	for an annual adjustment of the income limitation prescribed in
345	this subsection for changes in the cost of living and may
346	provide additional financial eligibility requirements or other
347	eligibility requirements.
348	SECTION 9.  Local taxes.--
349	(a)  Counties, school districts, and municipalities shall,
350	and special districts may, be authorized by law to levy ad
351	valorem taxes and may be authorized by general law to levy other
352	taxes, for their respective purposes, except ad valorem taxes on
353	intangible personal property and taxes prohibited by this
354	constitution.
355	(b)  Ad valorem taxes, exclusive of taxes levied for the
356	payment of bonds and taxes levied for periods not longer than
357	two years when authorized by vote of the electors who are the
358	owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation,
359	shall not be levied in excess of the following millages upon the
360	assessed value of real estate and tangible personal property:
361	for all county purposes, ten mills; for all municipal purposes,
362	ten mills; for all school purposes, ten mills; for water
363	management purposes for the northwest portion of the state lying
364	west of the line between ranges two and three east, 0.05 mill;
365	for water management purposes for the remaining portions of the
366	state, 1.0 mill; and for all other special districts a millage
367	authorized by law approved by vote of the electors who are
368	owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation. A
369	county furnishing municipal services may, to the extent
370	authorized by law, levy additional taxes within the limits fixed
371	for municipal purposes.
372	(c)  By general law, the legislature shall limit the
373	authority of counties, municipalities, and special districts to
374	increase ad valorem taxes.
375	ARTICLE VIII
376	LOCAL GOVERNMENT
377	SECTION 1.  Counties.--
378	(a)  POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.  The state shall be divided by
379	law into political subdivisions called counties. Counties may be
380	created, abolished or changed by law, with provision for payment
381	or apportionment of the public debt.
382	(b)  COUNTY FUNDS.  The care, custody and method of
383	disbursing county funds shall be provided by general law.
384	(c)  GOVERNMENT.  Pursuant to general or special law, a
385	county government may be established by charter which shall be
386	adopted, amended or repealed only upon vote of the electors of
387	the county in a special election called for that purpose.
388	(d)  COUNTY OFFICERS.  There shall be elected by the
389	electors of each county, for terms of four years, a sheriff, a
390	tax collector, a property appraiser, a supervisor of elections,
391	and a clerk of the circuit court; except, when provided by
392	county charter or special law approved by vote of the electors
393	of the county, any county officer other than a property
394	appraiser may be chosen in another manner therein specified, or
395	any county office other than the office of property appraiser
396	may be abolished when all the duties of the office prescribed by
397	general law are transferred to another office. When not
398	otherwise provided by county charter or special law approved by
399	vote of the electors, the clerk of the circuit court shall be ex
400	officio clerk of the board of county commissioners, auditor,
401	recorder and custodian of all county funds.
402	(e)  COMMISSIONERS.  Except when otherwise provided by
403	county charter, the governing body of each county shall be a
404	board of county commissioners composed of five or seven members
405	serving staggered terms of four years. After each decennial
406	census the board of county commissioners shall divide the county
407	into districts of contiguous territory as nearly equal in
408	population as practicable. One commissioner residing in each
409	district shall be elected as provided by law.
410	(f)  NON-CHARTER GOVERNMENT.  Counties not operating under
411	county charters shall have such power of self-government as is
412	provided by general or special law. The board of county
413	commissioners of a county not operating under a charter may
414	enact, in a manner prescribed by general law, county ordinances
415	not inconsistent with general or special law, but an ordinance
416	in conflict with a municipal ordinance shall not be effective
417	within the municipality to the extent of such conflict.
418	(g)  CHARTER GOVERNMENT.  Counties operating under county
419	charters shall have all powers of local self-government not
420	inconsistent with general law, or with special law approved by
421	vote of the electors. The governing body of a county operating
422	under a charter may enact county ordinances not inconsistent
423	with general law. The charter shall provide which shall prevail
424	in the event of conflict between county and municipal
425	ordinances.
426	(h)  TAXES; LIMITATION.  Property situate within
427	municipalities shall not be subject to taxation for services
428	rendered by the county exclusively for the benefit of the
429	property or residents in unincorporated areas.
430	(i)  COUNTY ORDINANCES.  Each county ordinance shall be
431	filed with the custodian of state records and shall become
432	effective at such time thereafter as is provided by general law.
433	(j)  VIOLATION OF ORDINANCES.  Persons violating county
434	ordinances shall be prosecuted and punished as provided by law.
435	(k)  COUNTY SEAT.  In every county there shall be a county
436	seat at which shall be located the principal offices and
437	permanent records of all county officers. The county seat may
438	not be moved except as provided by general law. Branch offices
439	for the conduct of county business may be established elsewhere
440	in the county by resolution of the governing body of the county
441	in the manner prescribed by law. No instrument shall be deemed
442	recorded until filed at the county seat, or a branch office
443	designated by the governing body of the county for the recording
444	of instruments, according to law.
445	ARTICLE XII
446	SCHEDULE
447	SECTION 27.  Elected property appraisers; application.--The
448	requirement in Section 1(d) of Article VIII for a property
449	appraiser to be elected by the electors of the county shall
450	apply in each county, including each charter county, regardless
451	of whether the charter was adopted pursuant to Section 1(g) of
452	Article VIII or pursuant to Section 9, Section 10, Section 11,
453	or Section 24 of Article VIII of the Constitution of 1885, as
454	amended and incorporated by reference in Section 6(e) of Article
455	VIII. Any county that does not have an elected property
456	appraiser on the effective date of the amendment to Section 1 of
457	Article VIII of this constitution shall provide for electing a
458	property appraiser at the next general election as provided by
459	general law.
460	SECTION 28.  Property tax exemptions and ad valorem tax
461	limitations.--The amendments to Sections 3, 4, 6, and 9 of
462	Article VII, providing a $25,000 exemption from ad valorem
463	taxation for tangible personal property, providing an additional
464	$25,000 homestead exemption, authorizing the transfer of the
465	accrued benefit from the limitation on the assessment of
466	homestead property, providing an additional homestead exemption
467	for first-time homestead property owners, providing a complete
468	homestead exemption for low-income seniors, providing for
469	assessing rent-restricted affordable housing and commercial and
470	public-access waterfront property pursuant to general law,
471	limiting annual increases in assessments of nonhomestead real
472	property, and requiring the legislature to limit the authority
473	of counties, municipalities, and special districts to increase
474	ad valorem taxes; the amendment to Section 1 of Article VIII,
475	requiring property appraisers to be elected; and the creation of
476	Section 27 of this Article, providing for election of county
477	property appraisers, and this section, if submitted to the
478	electors of this state for approval or rejection at a special
479	election authorized by law to be held on January 29, 2008, shall
480	take effect upon approval by the electors and shall operate
481	retroactively to January 1, 2008, or, if submitted to the
482	electors of this state for approval or rejection at the next
483	general election, shall take effect January 1 of the year
484	following such general election.
485	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following statement be
486	placed on the ballot:
487	CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
488	ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 3, 4, 6, AND 9
489	ARTICLE VIII, SECTION 1
490	ARTICLE XII, SECTIONS 27 AND 28
491	PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS; LIMITATIONS ON AD VALOREM TAX
492	INCREASES; ELECTED PROPERTY APPRAISERS.--This revision proposes
493	changes to the State Constitution relating to ad valorem
494	taxation and elected property appraisers. With respect to
495	homestead property, this revision 1) adds an additional
496	homestead exemption for most homestead owners, 2) exempts
497	certain low-income seniors from ad valorem tax on their
498	homesteads, 3) provides an additional homestead exemption that
499	diminishes over time for first-time Florida homebuyers, and 4)
500	provides for the transfer of accumulated Save Our Homes
501	benefits. With respect to non-homestead property, this revision
502	allows the Legislature to limit ad valorem assessments on 5)
503	affordable housing and 6) on working waterfronts under specific
504	circumstances, 7) provides a $25,000 exemption for tangible
505	personal property, and 8) limits annual increases in assessments
506	of nonhomestead real property. Further, this revision 9)
507	requires the Legislature to limit the authority of local
508	governments other than school districts to increase property
509	taxes, and 10) requires all county property appraisers to be
510	elected.
511	In more detail, this revision:
512	1.  Increases the homestead exemption by providing an
513	additional $25,000 homestead exemption for the portion of the
514	assessed value above $50,000 up to $75,000.  This exemption does
515	not apply to school taxes.
516	2.  Exempts certain low-income seniors from ad valorem tax
517	on their homes. Persons 65 or older whose household income is
518	less than $23,604, adjusted annually for inflation, will be
519	totally exempt from ad valorem taxes, including school taxes, on
520	their homestead property.
521	3.  Provides an increased exemption for first-time Florida
522	homebuyers beginning in 2008. First-time homebuyers in Florida
523	who qualify for homestead exemption will be eligible for an
524	additional exemption equal to 25 percent of the assessed value
525	of their new home, not to exceed 25 percent of the county median
526	homestead just value for the prior year. The amount of the
527	exemption will decrease each year by the amount of the home's
528	Save Our Homes benefit. When the amount of the home's Save Our
529	Homes benefit meets or exceeds this exemption, the exemption is
530	lost. This exemption also is available to 2007 first-time
531	homebuyers who qualify for homestead exemption January 1, 2008.
532	This exemption does not apply to school taxes.
533	4.  Provides for the transfer of accumulated Save Our Homes
534	benefits. Homestead property owners will be able to transfer
535	their Save Our Homes benefit to a new homestead within two years
536	of relinquishing their previous homestead exemption; except, if
537	the new homestead is established on January 1, 2008, the
538	previous homestead must have been relinquished in 2007. If the
539	new homestead has a higher just value than the old one, the
540	entire benefit can be transferred; if the new homestead has a
541	lower just value, the amount of benefit transferred will be
542	reduced in proportion of the just value of the new homestead to
543	the just value of the old homestead. The transferred benefit may
544	not exceed $1 million. This provision does not apply to school
545	taxes.
546	5.  Provides for assessing certain rent-restricted
547	affordable housing property as provided by general law. This
548	provision will not apply to school taxes.
549	6.  Provides for assessing certain waterfront property used
550	for commercial fishing, commercial water-dependent activities,
551	and public access as provided by general law. This provision
552	will not apply to school taxes.
553	7.  Limits increases in assessments each year for all
554	property other than homestead property to the lower of 3 percent
555	or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.
556	8.  Authorizes an exemption from ad valorem taxes of
557	$25,000 of assessed value of tangible personal property. This
558	provision applies to all tax levies.
559	9.  Requires the Legislature to limit the authority of
560	counties, municipalities, and special districts to increase ad
561	valorem taxes.
562	10.  Requires each county to have an elected property
563	appraiser as a county officer and eliminates the option for
564	choosing a property appraiser in any other manner as provided by
565	county charter or special law approved by vote of the electors
566	of the county and the option of abolishing the office of the
567	property appraiser when all the duties of the office prescribed
568	by general law are transferred to another office. Provides that
569	the requirement for a property appraiser elected by the electors
570	of the county shall apply in each county without exception,
571	including each charter county, regardless of the authority under
572	which the charter was adopted. It further provides for
573	application of the elected property appraiser requirement to
574	counties, and charter counties notwithstanding constitutional
575	grants of authority to charter counties, and requires such
576	counties to provide for electing a property appraiser as
577	provided by general law.
578	Further, this revision:
579	A.  Repeals obsolete language on the homestead exemption
580	when it was less than $25,000 and did not apply uniformly to
581	property taxes levied by all local governments.
582	B.  Moves two current provisions, related to the homestead
583	exemption, and makes them applicable to the increased homestead
584	exemption.
585	C.  Schedules the changes to take effect upon approval by
586	the voters and operate retroactively to January 1, 2008, if
587	approved in a special election held on January 29, 2008, or to
588	take effect January 1, 2009, if approved in the general election
589	held in November of 2008.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.