The 2018 Florida Constitutional Amendments explained
The 2018 Florida General Election ballot will have 13 amendments for voters to consider. These amendments have many subjects combined and can be difficult to understand.
The Liberty First Network has created this page to explain the amendments that voters will see on their ballot. We will be continually updating this page as additional information becomes available.
Full 2018 Amendment analysis is here: Amendment One and Two Amendment Three
Amendment Four Amendment Five Amendment Six Amendment Seven
Amendment Nine Amendment Ten Amendment Eleven Amendment Twelve and Thirteen
RELATED: Election 2018 immigration US Senate Florida
UPDATE: All of the Florida Amendments passed except for Amendment One – more HERE
Amendment 1
Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption
Ballot Summary
Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to increase the homestead exemption by exempting the assessed valuation of homestead property greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000 for all levies other than school district levies. The amendment shall take effect January 1, 2019
Explanation
Amendment 1 would provide for an additional homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes, except levies by school districts, for the assessed valuation between $100,000 and $125,000. Currently, the Florida Constitution provides for a homestead exemption on the first $25,000 of assessed value, which is exempt from all taxes. In 2008, Florida voters amended this provision to include an additional $25,000 homestead exemption from all taxes other than school district taxes on assessed value between $50,000 to $75,000. If passed, Amendment 1 would expand the state homestead property tax exemption to $75,000 for homesteaded property over an assessed value of $100,000.
Amendment 1 directs the Legislature to appropriate funds to offset ad valorem tax revenue losses in fiscally constrained counties. Twenty-nine counties in Florida qualify as “fiscally constrained” under legislative parameters. It basically covers the state’s small, rural counties. And under the implementing bill passed by the legislature in 2017, if the new homestead exemption passes, those counties will get payments from the state to cover the cost of the new homestead exemption.
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