Transcript Slide 1

2012 Legislative Session
Legislative Update
February 15, 2012
SJR 312 – Rescinding and Withdrawing House Joint Resolution
381 (Dorworth - 2011)
Sponsor Senator Simmons
 It is contingent upon adoption of a joint resolution proposing alternative
amendments to the State Constitution.
 HJR 381 passed by the 2011 Legislature is scheduled to be placed on the
November 2012 Ballot as Constitutional Amendment 4.
 HJR 381 repeals recapture if the just value decreases and provides for an
additional homestead exemption equal to 50% of the home’s just value not to
exceed 50% of the median just value of homestead property within the county for
the preceding year.
 No Movement
Constitutional Amendment
SJR 314 – Property Tax Limitations; Homestead Exemption
Sponsor Senator Simmons
 Repeals recapture on homestead if just value decreases.
 Reduces assessment limitation on non-homestead from 10% to 7%.
 Creates two additional levels of homestead exemption equal to:
• 30% of the homestead property’s just value in excess of $75,000 but less than or equal to
$200,000, plus
• 15% of the homestead property’s just value in excess of $200,000 but less than or equal to
$400,000.
 The value of the additional homestead exemption shall be reduced by the difference between
the just value of the property and the assessed value of the property.
 The Legislature may adjust the percent of just value used to calculate the additional homestead
exemption, but may not reduce the value of the additional exemption below the value
established by the amendment.
 If approved on 2012 presidential preference primary shall take effect January 1, 2012. If
approved at 2012 general election shall take effect January 1, 2013.
 No Movement
Constitutional Amendment
HJR 1289 & 1291 – Additional Homestead Exemption
Sponsor Representative Brodeur
 Similar to SJR 314 by Senator Simmons.
 Creates two additional levels of homestead exemption equal to:
• 30% of the homestead property’s just value in excess of $75,000 but less than or
equal to $200,000, plus
• 15% of the homestead property’s just value in excess of $200,000 but less than or
equal to $400,000.
 Temporarily Deferred in Community and Military Affairs – Feb 7
 Negative impact $565 million in FY 2013-14
Similar Constitutional Amendments
HJR 55 – Homestead Assessment Limitation / Senior Citizens
Sponsor Representatives Nunez and Oliva
SJR 838 – Homestead Assessment Limitation / Low-Income Senior
Citizens
Sponsor Senator Diaz de la Portilla
 Allows counties and municipalities, for purposes of their respective tax levies, by
ordinance, to limit the assessments on homestead property subject to a senior
exemption.
 Limits Recapture if:
 The assessed value can not increase if the current just value is less than the previous
year’s just value, or
 The just value is less than 150% of the average just value of homestead property within
the respective county or municipality.
 Designate a state agency that will determine the average just value of homestead
property within each county and municipality, and annually supply that information to
each property appraiser.
Effective Date: Not Specified
Constitutional Amendment
HJR 169 – Additional Homestead Exemption; Low-Income Seniors Who
Maintain Long-term Residency on Property
Sponsor Representative Oliva; Co-sponsor Representative Nunez
SJR – 1740 (related)
Sponsor Senator Garcia
 Allows Counties and Municipalities the option to adopt by ordinance the exemption.
 This exemption language is added to Section 196.075, F.S., the current statute for the
Additional Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older.
 Additional homestead exemption not exceeding the assessed value of the property.
 The applicant must have maintained permanent residency on the property for not less
than 20 years, and must be 65 or older.
 Annual household income can not exceed $15,000, adjusted annually for changes in the
cost of living.
Effective Date: Not Specified
HB 357 – Homestead Exemptions for Seniors
Sponsor Representative Oliva
SB 1738 – Homestead Exemptions for Seniors
Sponsor Senator Garcia
 Enabling Legislation for HJR 169 (on previous page)
 Allows Counties and Municipalities the option to adopt by ordinance the exemption
 Amends section 196.075, F.S., the current statute for the Additional Homestead
Exemption for Persons 65 and Older
 Additional homestead exemption not exceeding the assessed value of the property
 The applicant must have maintained permanent residency on the property for not
less than 20 years, and must be 65 or older
 Annual household income can not exceed $15,000, adjusted annually for changes in
the cost of living
Effective Date: Upon approval of HJR 169 (2013 Assessment Roll)
Similar Constitutional Amendments
HJR 93 – Homestead Property Tax Exemption For Surviving Spouse Of
Military Veteran Or First Responder
Sponsor Representative Harrison
SJR 1056 – Homestead Property Tax Exemption For Surviving Spouse Of
Military Veteran Or First Responder
Sponsor Senator Norman
 Allows the Legislature to provide ad valorem homestead property tax relief to the
surviving spouse of a military veteran who died from service-connected causes
while on active duty or a surviving spouse of a first responder who died in the line
of duty.
 Authorizes the Legislature to totally exempt or partially exempt such surviving
spouse’s homestead property from ad valorem taxation.
 Defines the terms “First responder” and “In the line of duty.”
Effective Date: Not Specified
HB 95 – Homestead Tax Exemption (Fallen Heroes Family Tax Relief Act)
Sponsor Representative Harrison, Co-sponsors; Berman, Logan, Campbell
SB 1058 – Homestead Tax Exemption (Fallen Heroes Family Tax Relief Act)
Sponsor Senator Norman
 This is the enabling legislation for HJR 93 and SJR 1056 (on previous page).
 Amends Section 196.081, Florida Statutes.
 Defines the terms “First responder” and “In the line of duty.”
Effective Date: Upon approval of HJR 93 and SJR 1056 (2013 Assessment Roll)
Constitutional Amendment
SB 1062 – Tangible Personal Property Tax Sponsor
HB 1005 (related) Sponsor Representative Eisnaugle
Senator Detert
 Revises the conditions for a waiver of the requirements to file a tangible personal
property tax return.
SJR 1064 – Tangible Personal Property Taxes Sponsor
HJR 1003 (related) Sponsor Representative Eisnaugle
Senator Detert
 Authorizes the Legislature to have more flexibility in providing for the assessment
and exemption of tangible personal property.
 Amends the State Constitution authorizing the Legislature to:
 Increase the value of TPP that is exempt from tangible personal property taxes.
 Provide for the assessment of an item of TPP at a specified percentage of its value.
 Specify an item of TPP that is exempt from ad valorem taxation.
 Exempt a person from paying a tangible personal property tax if the amount of the tax
otherwise due does not substantially exceed the cost, as determined by the Legislature,
to administer the tax.
Effective Date: Not Specified
SB 1256 and HB 7097 – Property Tax Administration (DOR Bill)
 Relates to April sales file submission and ownership transfer documents.
 Addresses current issues with the 10% cap and parcel split/combinations
 Defines “placed on tax roll” with “the year the property becomes eligible for assessment
pursuant to this section”.
 Provides a method of determining the amount of value “attributable” to the split.
 Appears to allow for assessment at just value in subsequent year.
Con’t….next page
SB 1256 and HB 7097 – Property Tax Administration (DOR Bill) ….con’t
 Removes the stacking order of exemptions and states: “in the order that results in the
lowest taxable value.”
 Senate version contains a provision that only the DOR or designated entity may review
whether changes to value resulting from an informal conference are consistent with the
law. The House version does not contain this language.
 Provides that:
 “all property of municipalities of this state shall be exempt from ad valorem taxation when
used as an essential ancillary function of a facility constructed with financing obtained in part
by pledging proceeds from the tax authorized under s. 212.0305(4) that is upon exempt or
immune federal, state, or county property.”
Effective Date: Upon becoming law.
HB 7113 – Additional Exemption Deployed Servicemembers
Sponsor Representative Precourt
 Filed on Feb 8, it revises 196.173 exemption for deployed servicemembers.
 Add Operation Noble Eagle (Sept 15, 2001) to the list of support operations.
 Defines operations that have ceased to be active.
 Extends deadline until June 1, 2012
 Allows servicemember to file petition with VAB through TRIM if property appraiser
does not grant.
Effective Date: 2012 Assessment Roll
CS/SB 156 – Assessment of Residential and Non-homestead Real Property
Sponsor Senator Latvala
HB 133 – Assessment of Residential and Non-homestead Real Property
Sponsor Representative Frishe, Co sponsor Representative Berman
Energy Bill
 Implementing language for Constitutional Amendment 3 entitled Improvements
not Affecting the Assessed Value of Residential Real Property, passed in November
2008.
 Creates Section 193.624, F.S.
 Defines “changes or improvements made for the purpose of improving a property's
resistance to wind damage” and “renewable energy source devises.”
 The “Donegan” language to clarify the meaning of “placed on the tax roll” and
“combining and dividing parcels” as they relate to the 10 percent limitation on
assessed value of non-homestead property resulting from a reassessment has been
removed.
Effective Date: July 1, 2012, shall apply to assessments beginning January 1, 2013.
SB 778 – Whistle-blower reward for reporting illegal or improper
homestead exemptions
Sponsor Senator Detert
(no House companion)
 An individual reporting a possible homestead exemption violation to a property
appraiser could receive a reward of 20% of the amount recovered in back taxes,
not to exceed $500.
 Department of Revenue shall develop the form which will be used to report
possible homestead exemption violations.
 Condominium or cooperative associations must report to the property appraiser
by January 31 of each year, a list of all units that were rented the previous year.
Effective Date: July 1, 2012
HB 89 - Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions
Sponsor Representative Caldwell
SB 168 – Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions
Sponsor Senator Richter
 Allows a nonexempt entity to lease or provide gratuitously real property to an
exempt entity, including an educational institution, and receive an exemption
equivalent to 50% of the assessed value if used exclusively for exempt purposes.
 If only a portion of the property is used by the exempt entity, including an
educational institution, an exemption to the extent of 50% of the ratio that such
use bears to the nonexempt use of other portions of the property.
Effective Date: July 1, 2012
SB 686 – Ad Valorem Taxation
Sponsor Senator Bennett
 Amends Section 193.011, F.S.:
 In arriving at just valuation as required under s. 4, Art. VII of the State Constitution, the
property appraiser shall take into consideration and apply the following factors, if applicable…
 Amends Section 193.011(2), F.S. by adding the following language:

…The present
value of the property shall be the primary factor considered in deriving the just
value for assessment purposes…
 Amends Section 193.011(5), F.S. by adding the following language:
 The cost of the property, including the value of any underlying land, and the present
replacement value of any improvements on the land, taking into consideration any
depreciation or obsolescence of the improvements…
 Amends Section 194.011(5)(b), F.S. by adding property appraisers to the list of entities the
Department of Revenue shall develop uniform policies and procedure manuals for use in
proceeding before value adjustment boards.
Effective Date: July 1, 2012
HB 251 – Property Assessments
Sponsor Representative Workman
SB 928 – Property Assessments
Sponsor Senator Altman
 Amends Section 193.011(1), F.S.
 List transactions the property appraiser shall take into consideration when arriving
at just valuation to include; distress sales, short sales, bank sales, or sales at
public auctions.
Constitutional Amendment
HJR 21 & SJR 190 - Relating to Term Limits
Sponsor Representative Kriseman
 Amends State Constitution.
 Increases length of terms of state senators to 6 years.
 Increases length of terms of state representatives to 4 years.
 Limits state senators and state representatives to 12 consecutive years in office.
Effective Date: Not Specified
Constitutional Amendment
HJR 785 - Term Limits/County Officers
Sponsor Representative Wood, CoSponsors Brandes, Pilon
SJR 1070 - Term Limits/Constitutional County Officers and County
Commissioners
Sponsor Senator Ring
 Authorizes the imposition of term limits on constitutional county officers and county
commissioners when provided by county charter.
 Property Appraiser, Tax Collector, Supervisor of Elections, Clerk of Circuit Court and Sheriff
have been removed per recently filed amendment.
Effective Date: Not Specified
SB 292— Effective Public Notices by Governmental Entities
Sponsor - Senator Bennett
HB 937 - Effective Public Notices by Governmental Entities
Sponsor – Representative Workman
 Authorizes local government to use its publically accessible website
for legally required notices and advertisements.
 Defines “publicly accessible website”.
 Provides conditions for utilization of publicly accessible website for such purposes.
 Provides for optional receipt of legally required public notices & advertisements via
first class mail or email…
Effective Date: October 1, 2012
SB 1362 & HB 1103 — Act relating to Ordinary High Water Line
Sponsors - Senator Hays, and Representative Goodson
 Redefines “ordinary high water mark”.
 Doesn’t necessarily apply to Property Appraisers; however,
 could affect cadastral mapping of navigable, non-tidal waterbodies.
 will certainly bring about question to PA’s regarding ownership of lands.
Effective Date: July 1, 2012
Constitutional Amendment
SJR 1410 – Assessment of Real Property/Video and Other
Surveillance Security Cameras
Sponsor Senator Flores
(no House companion)
 Allows the Legislature to authorize counties, municipalities, special districts, and
school districts to require the property appraiser to disregard the installation of
video and other surveillance security cameras and related equipment in the
determination of the assessed value of real property.
Effective Date: Upon Approval by Electors
HB 1181 – Revenue-Neutral Tax Reform
Sponsor Representative Costello
SB 430 – compare (no identical Senate version)
 Replaces the revenue from required local effort school property tax & nonvoted
discretionary property taxes with revenue from a state 3-cent education sales tax
surtax.
 Qualifies the state to participate in the Streamlined Sales & Use Tax Agreement.
 Imposes sales tax on bottled water in containers smaller than 1 gallon.
 Elimination of the required local effort school property tax & nonvoted
discretionary property taxes will begin November 2013.
 The 3-cent education surtax will begin January 1, 2013.
Effective Date: 2013
SB 1682 — Act relating to Agriculture
Sponsor - Senator Alexander
 Advises that the Legislature intends to revise laws relating to agriculture.
 (shell bill)
Effective Date: July 1, 2012
Thank You
and
Have a Safe Trip Home!