Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new property tax implementation bill, SB 4-F, into law in June 2026.
The legislation revises how local governments calculate maximum property tax rates.
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The bill comes amid demographic data showing a sharp slowdown in Florida's population growth.
According to Census Bureau data, the state's annual growth rate dropped to 0.9% in 2025, down from a peak of 2.5% in 2022.
Supporters of the tax law argue that revenue losses will be offset by new residents.
However, demographic analysts from The Conversation note that domestic migration has fallen to 22,000 net individuals in 2025.
Rising housing costs, increasing insurance rates, and new anti-immigration policies are driving the slowdown.
The state Legislature also enacted a new congressional map earlier this year to rebalance legislative representation across counties.
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Key Provisions of SB 4-F
SB 4-F eliminates automatic income-growth adjustments for tax rates.
Local governments now need higher voting thresholds or public referendums to increase property tax collections beyond rolled-back rates.
The legislative package includes a November ballot initiative to expand the homestead tax exemption for primary residences.
If approved, the exemption would rise to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.
Another measure signed alongside the tax law, HB 1329, requires local municipalities to publish detailed, downloadable multi-year financial summaries on their official websites.
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This budgeting transparency law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
