Florida Senate - 2007                        SENATOR AMENDMENT
    Bill No. SB 4-D
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                            CHAMBER ACTION
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11  Senators Geller and Deutch moved the following amendment:
12  
13         Senate Amendment (with title amendment) 
14         Delete everything after the enacting clause
15  
16  and insert:  
17         Section 1.  (1)  The executive director of the
18  Department of Revenue is authorized, and all conditions are
19  deemed met, to adopt emergency rules under ss. 120.536(1) and
20  120.54(4), Florida Statutes, for the purpose of implementing
21  sections 3 and 4 of this act.
22         (2)  In anticipation of implementing those portions of
23  this act which have not taken effect, the executive director
24  of the Department of Revenue is authorized, and all conditions
25  are deemed met, to adopt emergency rules under ss. 120.536(1)
26  and 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, for the purpose of making
27  necessary changes and preparations so that forms, methods, and
28  data records, electronic or otherwise, are ready and in place
29  if those portions of this act which have not taken effect
30  become law.
31         (3)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, such
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 1  emergency rules shall remain in effect for 18 months after the
 2  date of adoption and may be renewed during the pendency of
 3  procedures to adopt rules addressing the subject of the
 4  emergency rules.
 5         Section 2.  Section 196.002, Florida Statutes, is
 6  amended to read:
 7         196.002  Legislative intent.--For the purposes of
 8  assessment roll recordkeeping and reporting,:
 9         (1)  The increase in the homestead exemption provided
10  in s. 196.031(3)(d) shall be reported separately for those
11  persons entitled to exemption under paragraph (a) or paragraph
12  (b) of s. 196.031(3) and for those persons entitled to
13  exemption under s. 196.031(1) but not under said paragraphs;
14  and
15         (2)  the exemptions authorized by each provision of
16  this chapter shall be reported separately for each category of
17  exemption in each such provision, both as to total value
18  exempted and as to the number of exemptions granted.
19         Section 3.  Subsection (2) of section 193.114, Florida
20  Statutes, is amended to read:
21         193.114  Preparation of assessment rolls.--
22         (2)  The department shall promulgate regulations and
23  forms for the preparation of the real property assessment roll
24  to reflect:
25         (a)  A brief description of the property for purposes
26  of location and, effective January 1, 1996, a market area code
27  established according to department guidelines.  However, if a
28  property appraiser uses a neighborhood code, beginning in
29  1994, the property appraiser shall provide the neighborhood
30  code to the department.
31         (b)  The just value (using the factors set out in s.
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 1  193.011) of all property. The assessed value for school
 2  district levies and for nonschool district levies shall be
 3  separately listed.
 4         (c)  When property is wholly or partially exempt, a
 5  categorization of such exemption. There shall be a separate
 6  listing on the roll for exemptions pertaining to assessed
 7  value for school district levies and for nonschool district
 8  levies.
 9         (d)  When property is classified so that it is assessed
10  other than under s. 193.011, the value according to its
11  classified use and its value as assessed under s. 193.011.
12         (e)  The owner or fiduciary responsible for payment of
13  taxes on the property, his or her address, and an indication
14  of any fiduciary capacity (such as executor, administrator,
15  trustee, etc.) as appropriate.
16         (f)  The millage levied on the property, including
17  separately, school district millage and nonschool district
18  millage.
19         (g)  A separate listing for taxable value for school
20  district levies and for nonschool district levies. The tax
21  shall be, determined by multiplying the millages by the
22  taxable values for school district levies and nonschool
23  district levies value.
24         Section 4.  Section 193.155, Florida Statutes, is
25  amended to read:
26         193.155  Homestead assessments.--Homestead property
27  shall be assessed at just value as of January 1, 1994.
28  Property receiving the homestead exemption after January 1,
29  1994, shall be assessed at just value as of January 1 of the
30  year in which the property receives the exemption unless the
31  provisions of subsection (8) apply.
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 1         (1)  Beginning in 1995, or the year following the year
 2  the property receives homestead exemption, whichever is later,
 3  the property shall be reassessed annually on January 1. Any
 4  change resulting from such reassessment shall not exceed the
 5  lower of the following:
 6         (a)  Three percent of the assessed value of the
 7  property for the prior year; or
 8         (b)  The percentage change in the Consumer Price Index
 9  for All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average, all items
10  1967=100, or successor reports for the preceding calendar year
11  as initially reported by the United States Department of
12  Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
13         (2)  If the assessed value of the property as
14  calculated under subsection (1) exceeds the just value, the
15  assessed value of the property shall be lowered to the just
16  value of the property.
17         (3)  Except as provided in this subsection or
18  subsection (8), property assessed under this section shall be
19  assessed at just value as of January 1 of the year following a
20  change of ownership. Thereafter, the annual changes in the
21  assessed value of the property are subject to the limitations
22  in subsections (1) and (2). For the purpose of this section, a
23  change in ownership means any sale, foreclosure, or transfer
24  of legal title or beneficial title in equity to any person,
25  except as provided in this subsection. There is no change of
26  ownership if:
27         (a)  Subsequent to the change or transfer, the same
28  person is entitled to the homestead exemption as was
29  previously entitled and:
30         1.  The transfer of title is to correct an error;
31         2.  The transfer is between legal and equitable title;
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 1  or
 2         3.  The change or transfer is by means of an instrument
 3  in which the owner is listed as both grantor and grantee of
 4  the real property and one or more other individuals are
 5  additionally named as grantee. However, if any individual who
 6  is additionally named as a grantee applies for a homestead
 7  exemption on the property, the application shall be considered
 8  a change of ownership;
 9         (b)  The transfer is between husband and wife,
10  including a transfer to a surviving spouse or a transfer due
11  to a dissolution of marriage;
12         (c)  The transfer occurs by operation of law under s.
13  732.4015; or
14         (d)  Upon the death of the owner, the transfer is
15  between the owner and another who is a permanent resident and
16  is legally or naturally dependent upon the owner.
17         (4)(a)  Except as provided in paragraph (b), changes,
18  additions, or improvements to homestead property shall be
19  assessed at just value as of the first January 1 after the
20  changes, additions, or improvements are substantially
21  completed.
22         (b)  Changes, additions, or improvements that replace
23  all or a portion of homestead property damaged or destroyed by
24  misfortune or calamity shall not increase the homestead
25  property's assessed value when the square footage of the
26  homestead property as changed or improved does not exceed 110
27  percent of the square footage of the homestead property before
28  the damage or destruction. Additionally, the homestead
29  property's assessed value shall not increase if the total
30  square footage of the homestead property as changed or
31  improved does not exceed 1,500 square feet. Changes,
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 1  additions, or improvements that do not cause the total to
 2  exceed 110 percent of the total square footage of the
 3  homestead property before the damage or destruction or that do
 4  not cause the total to exceed 1,500 total square feet shall be
 5  reassessed as provided under subsection (1). The homestead
 6  property's assessed value shall be increased by the just value
 7  of that portion of the changed or improved homestead property
 8  which is in excess of 110 percent of the square footage of the
 9  homestead property before the damage or destruction or of that
10  portion exceeding 1,500 square feet. Homestead property
11  damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity which, after
12  being changed or improved, has a square footage of less than
13  100 percent of the homestead property's total square footage
14  before the damage or destruction shall be assessed pursuant to
15  subsection (5). This paragraph applies to changes, additions,
16  or improvements commenced within 3 years after the January 1
17  following the damage or destruction of the homestead.
18         (c)  Changes, additions, or improvements that replace
19  all or a portion of real property that was damaged or
20  destroyed by misfortune or calamity shall be assessed upon
21  substantial completion as if such damage or destruction had
22  not occurred and in accordance with paragraph (b) if the owner
23  of such property:
24         1.  Was permanently residing on such property when the
25  damage or destruction occurred;
26         2.  Was not entitled to receive homestead exemption on
27  such property as of January 1 of that year; and
28         3.  Applies for and receives homestead exemption on
29  such property the following year.
30         (d)  Changes, additions, or improvements include
31  improvements made to common areas or other improvements made
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 1  to property other than to the homestead property by the owner
 2  or by an owner association, which improvements directly
 3  benefit the homestead property. Such changes, additions, or
 4  improvements shall be assessed at just value, and the just
 5  value shall be apportioned among the parcels benefiting from
 6  the improvement.
 7         (5)  When property is destroyed or removed and not
 8  replaced, the assessed value of the parcel shall be reduced by
 9  the assessed value attributable to the destroyed or removed
10  property.
11         (6)  Only property that receives a homestead exemption
12  is subject to this section. No portion of property that is
13  assessed solely on the basis of character or use pursuant to
14  s. 193.461 or s. 193.501, or assessed pursuant to s. 193.505,
15  is subject to this section. When property is assessed under s.
16  193.461, s. 193.501, or s. 193.505 and contains a residence
17  under the same ownership, the portion of the property
18  consisting of the residence and curtilage must be assessed
19  separately, pursuant to s. 193.011, for the assessment to be
20  subject to the limitation in this section.
21         (7)  If a person received a homestead exemption limited
22  to that person's proportionate interest in real property, the
23  provisions of this section apply only to that interest.
24         (8)  Property assessed under this section shall be
25  assessed at less than just value following a change in
26  ownership, for all levies other than school district levies,
27  when the person who establishes a new homestead has received a
28  homestead exemption as of January 1 of either of the two
29  immediately preceding years. A person who establishes a new
30  homestead as of January 1, 2008, is entitled to have the new
31  homestead assessed at less than just value only if that person
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 1  received a homestead exemption on January 1, 2007. The
 2  assessed value of the newly established homestead shall be
 3  determined as provided in this subsection.
 4         (a)  If the just value of the new homestead as of
 5  January 1 is greater than or equal to the just value of the
 6  immediate prior homestead of the person establishing the new
 7  homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the immediate
 8  prior homestead was abandoned, the assessed value of the new
 9  homestead shall be the just value of the new homestead minus
10  an amount equal to the lesser of $1 million or the difference
11  between the just value and the assessed value of the immediate
12  prior homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the prior
13  homestead was abandoned. Thereafter, the homestead shall be
14  assessed as provided in this section.
15         (b)  If the just value of the new homestead as of
16  January 1 is less than the just value of the immediate prior
17  homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the immediate
18  prior homestead was abandoned, the assessed value of the new
19  homestead shall be equal to the just value of the new
20  homestead divided by the just value of the immediate prior
21  homestead and multiplied by the assessed value of the
22  immediate prior homestead. However, if the difference between
23  the just value of the new homestead and the assessed value of
24  the new homestead calculated pursuant to this paragraph is
25  greater than $1 million, the assessed value of the new
26  homestead shall be increased so that the difference between
27  the just value and the assessed value equals $1 million.
28  Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed as provided in
29  this section.
30         (c)  If two or more persons who have each received a
31  homestead exemption as of January 1 of either of the two
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 1  immediately preceding years and would otherwise be eligible to
 2  have a new homestead property assessed under this subsection
 3  establish a single new homestead, the reduction in just value
 4  shall be limited to the reduction that could have resulted
 5  from any one of the eligible prior homesteads.
 6         (d)  If two or more persons abandon their jointly owned
 7  homestead property and one or more such persons establish a
 8  new homestead that would otherwise be eligible for assessment
 9  under this subsection, each person is entitled to a reduction
10  in just value for the new homestead in proportion to his or
11  her ownership interest in the prior homestead. There shall be
12  no reduction in assessed value of any new homestead unless the
13  prior homestead is reassessed under subsection (3) or this
14  subsection as of January 1 after the abandonment occurs.
15         (e)  In order to have his or her homestead property
16  assessed under this subsection, a person must provide to the
17  property appraiser a copy of his or her notice of proposed
18  property taxes for an eligible prior homestead at the same
19  time he or she applies for the homestead exemption, and must
20  sign a sworn statement, on a form prescribed by the
21  department, attesting to his or her entitlement to the
22  assessment.
23  
24  The department shall require by rule that the required
25  documentation be submitted with the homestead exemption
26  application under the timeframes and processes set forth in
27  chapter 196 to the extent practicable, and that the filing of
28  the statement be supported by copies of such notices.
29         (9)(8)  Erroneous assessments of homestead property
30  assessed under this section may be corrected in the following
31  manner:
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 1         (a)  If errors are made in arriving at any assessment
 2  under this section due to a material mistake of fact
 3  concerning an essential characteristic of the property, the
 4  just value and assessed value must be recalculated for every
 5  such year, including the year in which the mistake occurred.
 6         (b)  If changes, additions, or improvements are not
 7  assessed at just value as of the first January 1 after they
 8  were substantially completed, the property appraiser shall
 9  determine the just value for such changes, additions, or
10  improvements for the year they were substantially completed.
11  Assessments for subsequent years shall be corrected, applying
12  this section if applicable.
13         (c)  If back taxes are due pursuant to s. 193.092, the
14  corrections made pursuant to this subsection shall be used to
15  calculate such back taxes.
16         (10)(9)  If the property appraiser determines that for
17  any year or years within the prior 10 years a person who was
18  not entitled to the homestead property assessment limitation
19  granted under this section was granted the homestead property
20  assessment limitation, the property appraiser making such
21  determination shall record in the public records of the county
22  a notice of tax lien against any property owned by that person
23  in the county, and such property must be identified in the
24  notice of tax lien. Such property that is situated in this
25  state is subject to the unpaid taxes, plus a penalty of 50
26  percent of the unpaid taxes for each year and 15 percent
27  interest per annum. However, when a person entitled to
28  exemption pursuant to s. 196.031 inadvertently receives the
29  limitation pursuant to this section following a change of
30  ownership, the assessment of such property must be corrected
31  as provided in paragraph (9)(a) (8)(a), and the person need
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 1  not pay the unpaid taxes, penalties, or interest.
 2         Section 5.  Section 196.031, Florida Statutes, is
 3  amended to read:
 4         196.031  Exemption of homesteads.--
 5         (1)(a)  Every person who, on January 1, has the legal
 6  title or beneficial title in equity to real property in this
 7  state and who resides thereon and in good faith makes the same
 8  his or her permanent residence, or the permanent residence of
 9  another or others legally or naturally dependent upon such
10  person, is entitled to an exemption from all taxation, except
11  for assessments for special benefits, up to the assessed
12  valuation of $25,000 $5,000 on the residence and contiguous
13  real property, as defined in s. 6, Art. VII of the State
14  Constitution. Such title may be held by the entireties,
15  jointly, or in common with others, and the exemption may be
16  apportioned among such of the owners as shall reside thereon,
17  as their respective interests shall appear. If only one of the
18  owners of an estate held by the entireties or held jointly
19  with the right of survivorship resides on the property, that
20  owner is allowed an exemption of up to the assessed valuation
21  of $25,000 $5,000 on the residence and contiguous real
22  property. However, no such exemption of more than $25,000
23  $5,000 is allowed to any one person or on any one dwelling
24  house, except that an exemption up to the assessed valuation
25  of $25,000 $5,000 may be allowed on each apartment or mobile
26  home occupied by a tenant-stockholder or member of a
27  cooperative corporation and on each condominium parcel
28  occupied by its owner. Except for owners of an estate held by
29  the entireties or held jointly with the right of survivorship,
30  the amount of the exemption may not exceed the proportionate
31  assessed valuation of all owners who reside on the property.
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 1  Before such exemption may be granted, the deed or instrument
 2  shall be recorded in the official records of the county in
 3  which the property is located. The property appraiser may
 4  request the applicant to provide additional ownership
 5  documents to establish title.
 6         (b)  Every person who qualifies to receive the
 7  exemption provided in paragraph (a) and whose homestead just
 8  value is less than $500,000 is entitled to an additional
 9  exemption of up to $25,000 on the assessed valuation greater
10  than $50,000 and up to $75,000 of assessed value for all
11  levies other than school district levies and levies for
12  dependent or independent special districts or municipal
13  service taxing units the primary function of which is to
14  provide emergency medical or fire rescue services.
15         (2)  As used in subsection (1), the term "cooperative
16  corporation" means a corporation, whether for profit or not
17  for profit, organized for the purpose of owning, maintaining,
18  and operating an apartment building or apartment buildings or
19  a mobile home park to be occupied by its stockholders or
20  members; and the term "tenant-stockholder or member" means an
21  individual who is entitled, solely by reason of his or her
22  ownership of stock or membership in a cooperative corporation,
23  as evidenced in the official records of the office of the
24  clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the
25  apartment building is located, to occupy for dwelling purposes
26  an apartment in a building owned by such corporation or to
27  occupy for dwelling purposes a mobile home which is on or a
28  part of a cooperative unit. A corporation leasing land for a
29  term of 98 years or more for the purpose of maintaining and
30  operating a cooperative thereon shall be deemed the owner for
31  purposes of this exemption.
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 1         (3)(a)  The exemption provided in this section does For
 2  every person who is entitled to the exemption provided in
 3  subsection (1), who is a permanent resident of this state, and
 4  who is 65 years of age or older, the exemption is increased to
 5  $10,000 of assessed valuation for taxes levied by governing
 6  bodies of counties, municipalities, and special districts.
 7         (b)  For every person who is entitled to the exemption
 8  provided in subsection (1), who has been a permanent resident
 9  of this state for the 5 consecutive years prior to claiming
10  the exemption under this subsection, and who qualifies for the
11  exemption granted pursuant to s. 196.202 as a totally and
12  permanently disabled person, the exemption is increased to
13  $9,500 of assessed valuation for taxes levied by governing
14  bodies of counties, municipalities, and special districts.
15         (c)  No homestead shall be exempted under both
16  paragraphs (a) and (b). In no event shall the combined
17  exemptions of s. 196.202 and paragraph (a) or paragraph (b)
18  exceed $10,000.
19         (d)  For every person who is entitled to the exemption
20  provided in subsection (1) and who is a permanent resident of
21  this state, the exemption is increased to a total of $25,000
22  of assessed valuation for taxes levied by governing bodies of
23  school districts.
24         (e)  For every person who is entitled to the exemption
25  provided in subsection (1) and who is a resident of this
26  state, the exemption is increased to a total of $25,000 of
27  assessed valuation for levies of taxing authorities other than
28  school districts. However, the increase provided in this
29  paragraph shall not apply with respect to the assessment roll
30  of a county unless and until the roll of that county has been
31  approved by the executive director pursuant to s. 193.1142.
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 1         (4)  The property appraisers of the various counties
 2  shall each year compile a list of taxable property and its
 3  value removed from the assessment rolls of each school
 4  district as a result of the excess of exempt value above that
 5  amount allowed for nonschool levies as provided in subsections
 6  (1) and (3), as well as a statement of the loss of tax revenue
 7  to each school district from levies other than the minimum
 8  financial effort required pursuant to s. 1011.60(6), and shall
 9  deliver a copy thereof to the Department of Revenue upon
10  certification of the assessment roll to the tax collector.
11         (4)(5)  The exemption provided in this section applies
12  only to those parcels classified and assessed as
13  owner-occupied residential property or only to the portion of
14  property so classified and assessed.
15         (5)(6)  A person who is receiving or claiming the
16  benefit of an ad valorem tax exemption or a tax credit in
17  another state where permanent residency is required as a basis
18  for the granting of that ad valorem tax exemption or tax
19  credit is not entitled to the homestead exemption provided by
20  this section. This subsection does not apply to a person who
21  has the legal or equitable title to real estate in Florida and
22  maintains thereon the permanent residence of another legally
23  or naturally dependent upon the owner.
24         (6)(7)  When homestead property is damaged or destroyed
25  by misfortune or calamity and the property is uninhabitable on
26  January 1 after the damage or destruction occurs, the
27  homestead exemption may be granted if the property is
28  otherwise qualified and if the property owner notifies the
29  property appraiser that he or she intends to repair or rebuild
30  the property and live in the property as his or her primary
31  residence after the property is repaired or rebuilt and does
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 1  not claim a homestead exemption on any other property or
 2  otherwise violate this section. Failure by the property owner
 3  to commence the repair or rebuilding of the homestead property
 4  within 3 years after January 1 following the property's damage
 5  or destruction constitutes abandonment of the property as a
 6  homestead.
 7         Section 6.  Section 196.078, Florida Statutes, is
 8  created to read:
 9         196.078  Additional homestead exemption for first-time
10  Florida homebuyers.--
11         (1)  As used in this section, the term "first-time
12  Florida homebuyer" means a person who establishes the right to
13  receive the homestead exemption provided in s. 196.031 within
14  1 year after purchasing the homestead property and who had not
15  previously owned property receiving the homestead exemption
16  provided in s. 196.031.
17         (2)  Every first-time Florida homebuyer is entitled to
18  an additional homestead exemption in an amount equal to 25
19  percent of the homestead property's just value on January 1 of
20  the year in which the homestead is established, not to exceed
21  25 percent of the median just value of homesteads in the
22  county in which the homestead is located in the year prior to
23  establishing the new homestead. This exemption is not
24  available if any owner of the property has previously owned
25  property that received the homestead exemption provided in s.
26  196.031. The additional homestead exemption shall be reduced
27  each year by the difference between the homestead's just value
28  and assessed value as determined under s. 193.155 until the
29  value of the exemption is reduced to zero. The exemption
30  provided under this subsection applies to all levies other
31  than school district levies and levies for dependent or
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 1  independent special districts or municipal service taxing
 2  units the primary function of which is to provide emergency
 3  medical or fire rescue services.
 4         (3)  The property appraiser shall require a first-time
 5  Florida homebuyer claiming an exemption under this section to
 6  submit, not later than March 1 on a form prescribed by the
 7  Department of Revenue, a sworn statement attesting that the
 8  taxpayer, and each other person who holds legal or equitable
 9  title to the property, has never owned property that received
10  the homestead exemption provided by s. 196.031. In order for
11  the exemption to be retained upon the addition of another
12  person to the title to the property, the person added must
13  also submit, not later than the subsequent March 1 on a form
14  prescribed by the department, a sworn statement attesting that
15  he or she has never held title to Florida homestead property.
16         (4)  The provisions of ss. 196.131 and 196.161 apply to
17  the exemption provided in this section.
18         Section 7.  Subsection (2) of section 196.075, Florida
19  Statutes, is amended to read:
20         196.075  Additional homestead exemption for persons 65
21  and older.--
22         (2)  In accordance with s. 6(f), Art. VII of the State
23  Constitution, the board of county commissioners of any county
24  or the governing authority of any municipality shall may adopt
25  an ordinance to allow an additional homestead exemption of up
26  to $50,000 for any person who has the legal or equitable title
27  to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence
28  of the owner, who has attained age 65, and whose household
29  income does not exceed $20,000.
30         Section 8.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
31  196.161, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
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 1         196.161  Homestead exemptions; lien imposed on property
 2  of person claiming exemption although not a permanent
 3  resident.--
 4         (1)(a)  When the estate of any person is being probated
 5  or administered in another state under an allegation that such
 6  person was a resident of that state and the estate of such
 7  person contains real property situate in this state upon which
 8  homestead exemption has been allowed pursuant to this chapter
 9  s. 196.031 for any year or years within 10 years immediately
10  prior to the death of the deceased, then within 3 years after
11  the death of such person the property appraiser of the county
12  where the real property is located shall, upon knowledge of
13  such fact, record a notice of tax lien against the property
14  among the public records of that county, and the property
15  shall be subject to the payment of all taxes exempt
16  thereunder, a penalty of 50 percent of the unpaid taxes for
17  each year, plus 15 percent interest per year, unless the
18  circuit court having jurisdiction over the ancillary
19  administration in this state determines that the decedent was
20  a permanent resident of this state during the year or years an
21  exemption was allowed, whereupon the lien shall not be filed
22  or, if filed, shall be canceled of record by the property
23  appraiser of the county where the real estate is located.
24         Section 9.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
25  197.252, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
26         197.252  Homestead tax deferral.--
27         (2)
28         (b)  If the applicant is 65 years of age or older
29  entitled to claim the increased exemption by reason of age and
30  residency as provided in s. 196.031(3)(a), approval of the
31  application shall defer that portion of the ad valorem taxes
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 1  plus non-ad valorem assessments which exceeds 3 percent of the
 2  applicant's household income for the prior calendar year. If
 3  any applicant's household income for the prior calendar year
 4  is less than $10,000, or is less than the amount of the
 5  household income designated for the additional homestead
 6  exemption pursuant to s. 196.075, and the applicant is 65
 7  years of age or older, approval of the application shall defer
 8  the ad valorem taxes plus non-ad valorem assessments in their
 9  entirety.
10         Section 10.  Section 196.183, Florida Statutes, is
11  created to read:
12         196.183  Exemption for tangible personal property.--
13         (1)  Each tangible personal property tax return is
14  eligible for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of up to
15  $25,000 of assessed value. A single return must be filed for
16  each site in the county where the owner of tangible personal
17  property transacts business. Owners of freestanding property
18  placed at multiple sites, other than sites where the owner
19  transacts business, must file a single return, including all
20  such property located in the county. Freestanding property
21  placed at multiple sites includes vending and amusement
22  machines, LP/propane tanks, utility and cable company
23  property, billboards, leased equipment, and similar property
24  that is not customarily located in the offices, stores, or
25  plants of the owner, but is placed throughout the county.
26  Railroads, private carriers, and other companies assessed
27  pursuant to s. 193.085 shall be allowed one $25,000 exemption
28  for each county to which the value of their property is
29  allocated.
30         (2)  The requirement that an annual tangible personal
31  property tax return pursuant to s. 193.052 be filed for
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 1  taxpayers owning taxable property the value of which, as
 2  listed on the return, does not exceed the exemption provided
 3  in this section is waived. In order to qualify for this
 4  waiver, a taxpayer must file an initial return on which the
 5  exemption is taken. If, in subsequent years, the taxpayer owns
 6  taxable property the value of which, as listed on the return,
 7  exceeds the exemption, the taxpayer is obligated to file a
 8  return. The taxpayer may again qualify for the waiver only
 9  after filing a return on which the value as listed on the
10  return does not exceed the exemption. A return filed or
11  required to be filed shall be considered an application filed
12  or required to be filed for the exemption under this section.
13         (3)  The exemption provided in this section does not
14  apply in any year a taxpayer fails to file a return that is
15  not waived pursuant to subsection (2). Any taxpayer who
16  received a waiver pursuant to subsection (2) and who owns
17  taxable property the value of which, as listed on the return,
18  exceeds the exemption in a subsequent year and who fails to
19  file a return with the property appraiser is subject to the
20  penalty contained in s. 193.072(1)(a) calculated without the
21  benefit of the exemption pursuant to this section. Any
22  taxpayer claiming more exemptions than allowed pursuant to
23  subsection (1) is subject to the taxes exempted as a result of
24  wrongfully claiming the additional exemptions plus 15 percent
25  interest per annum and a penalty of 50 percent of the taxes
26  exempted.
27         Section 11.  Section 1 of this act and this section
28  shall take effect upon becoming a law, sections 2 through 10
29  of this act shall take effect January 1, 2008, but shall take
30  effect only upon the effective date of amendments to the State
31  Constitution contained in CS for Senate Joint Resolution 2-D
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 1  or House Joint Resolution __ revising the homestead tax
 2  exemption and providing an exemption from ad valorem taxation
 3  for tangible personal property and property used for workforce
 4  and affordable rental housing, and sections 2 through 10 of
 5  this act shall apply retroactively to the 2008 tax roll if the
 6  amendments to the State Constitution contained in CS for
 7  Senate Joint Resolution 2-D or House Joint Resolution __ are
 8  approved in a special election held on January 29, 2008, or
 9  shall apply to the 2009 tax roll if the amendments to the
10  State Constitution contained in CS for Senate Joint Resolution
11  2-D or House Joint Resolution __ are approved in the general
12  election held in November of 2008.
13  
14  
15  ================ T I T L E   A M E N D M E N T ===============
16  And the title is amended as follows:
17         Delete everything before the enacting clause
18  
19  and insert:  
20                      A bill to be entitled
21         An act relating to ad valorem taxation;
22         authorizing the Department of Revenue to adopt
23         emergency rules; providing for application and
24         renewal thereof; amending s. 196.002, F.S.;
25         revising certain reporting requirements for the
26         property appraiser in order to conform to
27         changes made by the act; amending s. 193.114,
28         F.S.; providing additional requirements for
29         assessment rolls; amending s. 193.155, F.S.;
30         providing for the assessment of homestead
31         property following a change in ownership based
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 1         on the just value of the immediate prior
 2         homestead; providing for determining the just
 3         value of the new homestead; providing for
 4         assessing a homestead established by two or
 5         more persons who held prior homestead property;
 6         providing requirements for applying for such an
 7         assessment; requiring that the Department of
 8         Revenue provide by rule for documenting
 9         entitlement to the assessment; amending s.
10         196.031, F.S.; increasing the amount of the
11         exemption provided for homestead property;
12         providing for an additional exemption for
13         levies other than school district levies and
14         designated others; deleting obsolete
15         provisions; deleting a requirement that
16         property appraisers compile information
17         concerning the loss of certain tax revenues and
18         submit a copy to the Department of Revenue;
19         creating s. 196.078, F.S.; providing for an
20         additional homestead exemption for first-time
21         Florida homebuyers; providing a definition;
22         providing for the amount of the additional
23         exemption; requiring that a person claiming
24         such exemption submit a sworn statement
25         attesting that he or she has never owned
26         property that received a homestead exemption in
27         this state; providing requirements for forms;
28         providing penalties; amending s. 196.161, F.S.;
29         providing that claims for homestead exemptions
30         by persons not entitled to such exemptions
31         subjects the property to tax liens; amending s.
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 1         197.252, F.S., relating to the homestead tax
 2         deferral; conforming provisions to changes made
 3         by the act; creating s. 196.183, F.S.;
 4         exempting each tangible personal property tax
 5         return from a specified amount of assessed
 6         value; limiting a single business operation
 7         within a county to one exemption; providing a
 8         procedure for waiving the requirement to file
 9         an annual tangible personal property tax return
10         if the taxpayer is entitled to the exemption;
11         providing penalties for failure to file a
12         return as required or to claim more exemptions
13         than allowed; providing that the exemption does
14         not apply to certain mobile homes; amending s.
15         196.075, F.S.; requiring counties to adopt an
16         ordinance increasing homestead exemption under
17         certain circumstances; providing that certain
18         provisions of the act apply retroactively;
19         providing effective dates, one of which is
20         contingent.
21  
22  
23  
24  
25  
26  
27  
28  
29  
30  
31  
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