Florida state Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, introduced a proposal Tuesday to study the elimination of property taxes in Florida.
The bill, SB 852, filed ahead of the legislative session set to begin March 4, directs the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research to analyze the feasibility of phasing out property taxes and replacing the lost revenue with alternative funding mechanisms.
These could include budget reductions, sales-based consumption taxes, and locally determined consumption taxes authorized by the Legislature.
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Property taxes have long been a cornerstone of funding for Florida’s public schools and local governments.
In the 2022-2023 fiscal year, property taxes generated billions of dollars, accounting for a significant portion of municipal and county budgets. Critics of the current system argue that property taxes place a heavy burden on homeowners, particularly in a state where housing costs have surged in recent years.
Martin’s proposal seeks to explore whether shifting to a consumption-based tax model could alleviate that burden while maintaining funding for essential services. The study would evaluate the potential impacts of eliminating property taxes on public services, including education, infrastructure, and emergency response. It would also assess whether such a shift could make Florida more attractive to businesses compared to other states.
The study would also examine how other states have handled similar transitions and whether Florida could adopt best practices to ensure a smooth shift. If the bill passes, the Office of Economic and Demographic Research would be required to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by a specified deadline.
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