Amendment
Bill No. 7001D

Amendment No. 040703

CHAMBER ACTION
Senate		House
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1	Representative(s) Seiler offered the following:
2
3	Amendment (with ballot statement and title amendments)
4	Remove line(s) 26-474 and insert:
5	Section 19 of Article VII and Sections 27 and 28 of Article XII
6	of the State Constitution are agreed to and shall be submitted
7	to the electors of this state for approval or rejection at the
8	next general election or at an earlier special election
9	specifically authorized by law for that purpose:
10	ARTICLE VII
11	FINANCE AND TAXATION
12	SECTION 3.  Taxes; exemptions.--
13	(a)  All property owned by a municipality and used
14	exclusively by it for municipal or public purposes shall be
15	exempt from taxation.  A municipality, owning property outside
16	the municipality, may be required by general law to make payment
17	to the taxing unit in which the property is located.  Such
18	portions of property as are used predominantly for educational,
19	literary, scientific, religious or charitable purposes may be
20	exempted by general law from taxation.
21	(b)  There shall be exempt from taxation, cumulatively, to
22	every head of a family residing in this state, household goods
23	and personal effects to the value fixed by general law, not less
24	than one thousand dollars, and to every widow or widower or
25	person who is blind or totally and permanently disabled,
26	property to the value fixed by general law not less than five
27	hundred dollars.
28	(c)  Any county or municipality may, for the purpose of its
29	respective tax levy and subject to the provisions of this
30	subsection and general law, grant community and economic
31	development ad valorem tax exemptions to new businesses and
32	expansions of existing businesses, as defined by general law.
33	Such an exemption may be granted only by ordinance of the county
34	or municipality, and only after the electors of the county or
35	municipality voting on such question in a referendum authorize
36	the county or municipality to adopt such ordinances.  An
37	exemption so granted shall apply to improvements to real
38	property made by or for the use of a new business and
39	improvements to real property related to the expansion of an
40	existing business and shall also apply to tangible personal
41	property of such new business and tangible personal property
42	related to the expansion of an existing business. The amount or
43	limits of the amount of such exemption shall be specified by
44	general law.  The period of time for which such exemption may be
45	granted to a new business or expansion of an existing business
46	shall be determined by general law.  The authority to grant such
47	exemption shall expire ten years from the date of approval by
48	the electors of the county or municipality, and may be renewable
49	by referendum as provided by general law.
50	(d)  By general law and subject to conditions specified
51	therein, there may be granted an ad valorem tax exemption to a
52	renewable energy source device and to real property on which
53	such device is installed and operated, to the value fixed by
54	general law not to exceed the original cost of the device, and
55	for the period of time fixed by general law not to exceed ten
56	years.
57	(e)  Any county or municipality may, for the purpose of its
58	respective tax levy and subject to the provisions of this
59	subsection and general law, grant historic preservation ad
60	valorem tax exemptions to owners of historic properties.  This
61	exemption may be granted only by ordinance of the county or
62	municipality.  The amount or limits of the amount of this
63	exemption and the requirements for eligible properties must be
64	specified by general law.  The period of time for which this
65	exemption may be granted to a property owner shall be determined
66	by general law.
67	(f)  By general law and subject to conditions specified
68	therein, twenty-five thousand dollars of the assessed value of
69	property subject to tangible personal property tax shall be
70	exempt from ad valorem taxation.
71	SECTION 4.  Taxation; assessments.--By general law
72	regulations shall be prescribed which shall secure a just
73	valuation of all property for ad valorem taxation, provided:
74	(a)  Agricultural land, land producing high water recharge
75	to Florida's aquifers, or land used exclusively for
76	noncommercial recreational purposes may be classified by general
77	law and assessed solely on the basis of character or use.
78	(b)  Pursuant to general law tangible personal property
79	held for sale as stock in trade and livestock may be valued for
80	taxation at a specified percentage of its value, may be
81	classified for tax purposes, or may be exempted from taxation.
82	(c)  All persons entitled to a homestead exemption under
83	Section 6 of this Article shall have their homestead assessed at
84	just value as of January 1 of the year following the effective
85	date of this amendment. This assessment shall change only as
86	provided herein.
87	(1)  Assessments subject to this provision shall be changed
88	annually on January 1st of each year; but those changes in
89	assessments shall not exceed the lower of the following:
90	a.  Three percent (3%) of the assessment for the prior
91	year.
92	b.  The percent change in the Consumer Price Index for all
93	urban consumers, U.S. City Average, all items 1967=100, or
94	successor reports for the preceding calendar year as initially
95	reported by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of
96	Labor Statistics.
97	(2)  No assessment shall exceed just value.
98	(3)  After any change of ownership, as provided by general
99	law, homestead property shall be assessed at just value as of
100	January 1 of the following year, unless the provisions of
101	paragraph (8) apply. Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed
102	as provided herein.
103	(4)  New homestead property shall be assessed at just value
104	as of January 1st of the year following the establishment of the
105	homestead, unless the provisions of paragraph (8) apply. That
106	assessment shall only change as provided herein.
107	(5)  Changes, additions, reductions, or improvements to
108	homestead property shall be assessed as provided for by general
109	law; provided, however, after the adjustment for any change,
110	addition, reduction, or improvement, the property shall be
111	assessed as provided herein.
112	(6)  In the event of a termination of homestead status, the
113	property shall be assessed as provided by general law.
114	(7)  The provisions of this amendment are severable. If any
115	of the provisions of this amendment shall be held
116	unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the
117	decision of such court shall not affect or impair any remaining
118	provisions of this amendment.
119	(8)a.  For all levies other than school district levies, a
120	person who establishes a new homestead as of January 1, 2009, or
121	January 1 of any subsequent year and who has received a
122	homestead exemption pursuant to Section 6 of this Article as of
123	January 1 of either of the two years immediately preceding the
124	establishment of the new homestead is entitled to have the new
125	homestead assessed at less than just value. A person who
126	establishes a new homestead as of January 1, 2008, is entitled
127	to have the new homestead assessed at less than just value only
128	if that person received a homestead exemption on January 1,
129	2007. The assessed value of the newly established homestead
130	shall be determined as follows:
131	1.  If the just value of the new homestead is greater than
132	or equal to the just value of the prior homestead of the person
133	establishing the new homestead as of January 1 of the year in
134	which the prior homestead was abandoned, the assessed value of
135	the new homestead shall be the just value of the new homestead
136	minus an amount equal to the lesser of $1 million or the
137	difference between the just value and the assessed value of the
138	prior homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the prior
139	homestead was abandoned. Thereafter, the homestead shall be
140	assessed as provided herein.
141	2.  If the just value of the new homestead is less than the
142	just value of the prior homestead of the person establishing the
143	new homestead as of January 1 of the year in which the prior
144	homestead was abandoned, the assessed value of the new homestead
145	shall be equal to the just value of the new homestead divided by
146	the just value of the prior homestead and multiplied by the
147	assessed value of the prior homestead. However, if the
148	difference between the just value of the new homestead and the
149	assessed value of the new homestead calculated pursuant to this
150	sub-subparagraph is greater than $1 million, the assessed value
151	of the new homestead shall be increased so that the difference
152	between the just value and the assessed value equals $1 million.
153	Thereafter, the homestead shall be assessed as provided herein.
154	b.  By general law and subject to conditions specified
155	therein, the legislature shall provide for application of this
156	paragraph to property owned by more than one person.
157	(d)  The legislature may, by general law, for assessment
158	purposes and subject to the provisions of this subsection, allow
159	counties and municipalities to authorize by ordinance that
160	historic property may be assessed solely on the basis of
161	character or use. Such character or use assessment shall apply
162	only to the jurisdiction adopting the ordinance. The
163	requirements for eligible properties must be specified by
164	general law.
165	(e)  A county may, in the manner prescribed by general law,
166	provide for a reduction in the assessed value of homestead
167	property to the extent of any increase in the assessed value of
168	that property which results from the construction or
169	reconstruction of the property for the purpose of providing
170	living quarters for one or more natural or adoptive grandparents
171	or parents of the owner of the property or of the owner's spouse
172	if at least one of the grandparents or parents for whom the
173	living quarters are provided is 62 years of age or older. Such a
174	reduction may not exceed the lesser of the following:
175	(1)  The increase in assessed value resulting from
176	construction or reconstruction of the property.
177	(2)  Twenty percent of the total assessed value of the
178	property as improved.
179	(f)  As defined by general law, real property that is used
180	to provide affordable housing and is subject to rent
181	restrictions imposed by a governmental agency may be assessed as
182	provided by general law, subject to conditions or limitations
183	specified therein. This subsection shall apply to all levies
184	other than school district levies.
185	(g)  As defined by general law, land that is used
186	exclusively for commercial fishing purposes or that is open to
187	the public and used predominantly for commercial water-dependent
188	activities or for public access to waters that are navigable may
189	be assessed as provided by general law, subject to conditions or
190	limitations specified therein. For purposes of this paragraph,
191	the term "water-dependent activity" means any activity that can
192	be conducted only on, in, over, or adjacent to waters that are
193	navigable and that requires direct access to water and involves
194	the use of water as an integral part of such activity. This
195	subsection shall apply to all levies other than school district
196	levies.
197	(h)  Increases in assessments each year for all property
198	other than property entitled to the assessment increase
199	limitations provided in this section shall not exceed the
200	limitations specified in paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of this
201	section.
202	SECTION 6.  Homestead exemptions.--
203	(a)  Every person who has the legal or equitable title to
204	real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the
205	owner, or another legally or naturally dependent upon the owner,
206	shall be exempt from taxation thereon, except assessments for
207	special benefits, up to the assessed valuation of twenty-five
208	five thousand dollars and, for all levies other than school
209	district levies, on the assessed valuation greater than fifty
210	thousand dollars and up to seventy-five thousand dollars, upon
211	establishment of right thereto in the manner prescribed by law.
212	The real estate may be held by legal or equitable title, by the
213	entireties, jointly, in common, as a condominium, or indirectly
214	by stock ownership or membership representing the owner's or
215	member's proprietary interest in a corporation owning a fee or a
216	leasehold initially in excess of ninety-eight years. The
217	exemption shall not apply with respect to any assessment roll
218	until such roll is first determined to be in compliance with the
219	provisions of Section 4 of this Article by a state agency
220	designated by general law. This exemption is repealed on the
221	effective date of any amendment to Section 4 of this Article
222	that provides for the assessment of homestead property at less
223	than just value.
224	(b)  Not more than one exemption shall be allowed any
225	individual or family unit or with respect to any residential
226	unit. No exemption shall exceed the value of the real estate
227	assessable to the owner or, in case of ownership through stock
228	or membership in a corporation, the value of the proportion
229	which the interest in the corporation bears to the assessed
230	value of the property.
231	(c)  As provided by general law and subject to conditions
232	specified therein, each person who establishes the right to
233	receive the homestead exemption provided in subsection (a)
234	within one year after purchasing the homestead property and who
235	had not previously owned property receiving the homestead
236	exemption provided in subsection (a) is entitled to an
237	additional homestead exemption in an amount equal to twenty-five
238	percent of the homestead property's just value on January 1 of
239	the year the homestead exemption is established, not to exceed
240	twenty-five percent of the median just value of homesteads in
241	the county in which the homestead is located in the year prior
242	to establishing the new homestead. This exemption is not
243	available if any owner of the property has previously owned
244	property that received the homestead exemption provided in
245	subsection (a). The additional homestead exemption shall be
246	reduced each year by the difference between the homestead's just
247	value and assessed value as determined under subsection (c) of
248	Section 4 of this Article until the value of the exemption is
249	reduced to zero. The exemption provided under this subsection
250	shall apply to all levies other than school district levies.
251	(c)  By general law and subject to conditions specified
252	therein, the exemption shall be increased to a total of twenty-
253	five thousand dollars of the assessed value of the real estate
254	for each school district levy. By general law and subject to
255	conditions specified therein, the exemption for all other levies
256	may be increased up to an amount not exceeding ten thousand
257	dollars of the assessed value of the real estate if the owner
258	has attained age sixty-five or is totally and permanently
259	disabled and if the owner is not entitled to the exemption
260	provided in subsection (d).
261	(d)  By general law and subject to conditions specified
262	therein, the exemption shall be increased to a total of the
263	following amounts of assessed value of real estate for each levy
264	other than those of school districts: fifteen thousand dollars
265	with respect to 1980 assessments; twenty thousand dollars with
266	respect to 1981 assessments; twenty-five thousand dollars with
267	respect to assessments for 1982 and each year thereafter.
268	However, such increase shall not apply with respect to any
269	assessment roll until such roll is first determined to be in
270	compliance with the provisions of section 4 by a state agency
271	designated by general law.  This subsection shall stand repealed
272	on the effective date of any amendment to section 4 which
273	provides for the assessment of homestead property at a specified
274	percentage of its just value.
275	(d)(e)  By general law and subject to conditions specified
276	therein, the Legislature may provide to renters, who are
277	permanent residents, ad valorem tax relief on all ad valorem tax
278	levies. Such ad valorem tax relief shall be in the form and
279	amount established by general law.
280	(e)(f)  The legislature may, by general law, allow counties
281	or municipalities, for the purpose of their respective tax
282	levies and subject to the provisions of general law, to grant an
283	additional homestead tax exemption not exceeding fifty thousand
284	dollars to any person who has the legal or equitable title to
285	real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the
286	owner and who has attained age sixty-five and whose household
287	income, as defined by general law, does not exceed twenty
288	thousand dollars. The general law must allow counties and
289	municipalities to grant this additional exemption, within the
290	limits prescribed in this subsection, by ordinance adopted in
291	the manner prescribed by general law, and must provide for the
292	periodic adjustment of the income limitation prescribed in this
293	subsection for changes in the cost of living.
294	(f)(g)  Each veteran who is age 65 or older who is
295	partially or totally permanently disabled shall receive a
296	discount from the amount of the ad valorem tax otherwise owed on
297	homestead property the veteran owns and resides in if the
298	disability was combat related, the veteran was a resident of
299	this state at the time of entering the military service of the
300	United States, and the veteran was honorably discharged upon
301	separation from military service. The discount shall be in a
302	percentage equal to the percentage of the veteran's permanent,
303	service-connected disability as determined by the United States
304	Department of Veterans Affairs. To qualify for the discount
305	granted by this subsection, an applicant must submit to the
306	county property appraiser, by March 1, proof of residency at the
307	time of entering military service, an official letter from the
308	United States Department of Veterans Affairs stating the
309	percentage of the veteran's service-connected disability and
310	such evidence that reasonably identifies the disability as
311	combat related, and a copy of the veteran's honorable discharge.
312	If the property appraiser denies the request for a discount, the
313	appraiser must notify the applicant in writing of the reasons
314	for the denial, and the veteran may reapply. The Legislature
315	may, by general law, waive the annual application requirement in
316	subsequent years. This subsection shall take effect December 7,
317	2006, is self-executing, and does not require implementing
318	legislation.
319	(g)  Real property owned and used as a homestead by a
320	person who has attained age sixty-five and whose household
321	income, as defined by general law, does not exceed $23,604 is
322	exempt from ad valorem taxation. The legislature shall provide
323	for an annual adjustment of the income limitation prescribed in
324	this subsection for changes in the cost of living and may
325	provide additional financial eligibility requirements or other
326	eligibility requirements.
327	SECTION 9.  Local taxes.--
328	(a)  Counties, school districts, and municipalities shall,
329	and special districts may, be authorized by law to levy ad
330	valorem taxes and may be authorized by general law to levy other
331	taxes, for their respective purposes, except ad valorem taxes on
332	intangible personal property and taxes prohibited by this
333	constitution.
334	(b)  Ad valorem taxes, exclusive of taxes levied for the
335	payment of bonds and taxes levied for periods not longer than
336	two years when authorized by vote of the electors who are the
337	owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation,
338	shall not be levied in excess of the following millages upon the
339	assessed value of real estate and tangible personal property:
340	for all county purposes, ten mills; for all municipal purposes,
341	ten mills; for all school purposes, ten mills; for water
342	management purposes for the northwest portion of the state lying
343	west of the line between ranges two and three east, 0.05 mill;
344	for water management purposes for the remaining portions of the
345	state, 1.0 mill; and for all other special districts a millage
346	authorized by law approved by vote of the electors who are
347	owners of freeholds therein not wholly exempt from taxation. A
348	county furnishing municipal services may, to the extent
349	authorized by law, levy additional taxes within the limits fixed
350	for municipal purposes.
351	(c)  By general law, the legislature shall limit the
352	authority of counties, municipalities, and special districts to
353	increase ad valorem taxes.
354	SECTION 19.  Increased state sales and use tax.--
355	(a)  Beginning July 1, 2008, the tax imposed on any
356	transaction or use currently or hereafter subject to tax
357	pursuant to the provisions of chapter 212, Florida Statutes, is
358	increased by adding one percent to the tax rate imposed by
359	chapter 212, Florida Statutes. Exemptions from the tax imposed
360	pursuant to chapter 212, Florida Statutes, adopted by general
361	law, shall apply to the tax increase provided by this section.
362	(b)  The proceeds of the tax increase provided by this
363	section shall be set aside for distribution to school districts
364	and shall replace the imposition of the required local effort
365	for all school districts collectively that has historically been
366	raised from ad valorem taxes each year from property tax payers.
367	ARTICLE VIII
368	LOCAL GOVERNMENT
369	SECTION 1.  Counties.--
370	(a)  POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS.  The state shall be divided by
371	law into political subdivisions called counties. Counties may be
372	created, abolished or changed by law, with provision for payment
373	or apportionment of the public debt.
374	(b)  COUNTY FUNDS.  The care, custody and method of
375	disbursing county funds shall be provided by general law.
376	(c)  GOVERNMENT.  Pursuant to general or special law, a
377	county government may be established by charter which shall be
378	adopted, amended or repealed only upon vote of the electors of
379	the county in a special election called for that purpose.
380	(d)  COUNTY OFFICERS.  There shall be elected by the
381	electors of each county, for terms of four years, a sheriff, a
382	tax collector, a property appraiser, a supervisor of elections,
383	and a clerk of the circuit court; except, when provided by
384	county charter or special law approved by vote of the electors
385	of the county, any county officer other than a property
386	appraiser may be chosen in another manner therein specified, or
387	any county office other than the office of property appraiser
388	may be abolished when all the duties of the office prescribed by
389	general law are transferred to another office. When not
390	otherwise provided by county charter or special law approved by
391	vote of the electors, the clerk of the circuit court shall be ex
392	officio clerk of the board of county commissioners, auditor,
393	recorder and custodian of all county funds.
394	(e)  COMMISSIONERS.  Except when otherwise provided by
395	county charter, the governing body of each county shall be a
396	board of county commissioners composed of five or seven members
397	serving staggered terms of four years. After each decennial
398	census the board of county commissioners shall divide the county
399	into districts of contiguous territory as nearly equal in
400	population as practicable. One commissioner residing in each
401	district shall be elected as provided by law.
402	(f)  NON-CHARTER GOVERNMENT.  Counties not operating under
403	county charters shall have such power of self-government as is
404	provided by general or special law. The board of county
405	commissioners of a county not operating under a charter may
406	enact, in a manner prescribed by general law, county ordinances
407	not inconsistent with general or special law, but an ordinance
408	in conflict with a municipal ordinance shall not be effective
409	within the municipality to the extent of such conflict.
410	(g)  CHARTER GOVERNMENT.  Counties operating under county
411	charters shall have all powers of local self-government not
412	inconsistent with general law, or with special law approved by
413	vote of the electors. The governing body of a county operating
414	under a charter may enact county ordinances not inconsistent
415	with general law. The charter shall provide which shall prevail
416	in the event of conflict between county and municipal
417	ordinances.
418	(h)  TAXES; LIMITATION.  Property situate within
419	municipalities shall not be subject to taxation for services
420	rendered by the county exclusively for the benefit of the
421	property or residents in unincorporated areas.
422	(i)  COUNTY ORDINANCES.  Each county ordinance shall be
423	filed with the custodian of state records and shall become
424	effective at such time thereafter as is provided by general law.
425	(j)  VIOLATION OF ORDINANCES.  Persons violating county
426	ordinances shall be prosecuted and punished as provided by law.
427	(k)  COUNTY SEAT.  In every county there shall be a county
428	seat at which shall be located the principal offices and
429	permanent records of all county officers. The county seat may
430	not be moved except as provided by general law. Branch offices
431	for the conduct of county business may be established elsewhere
432	in the county by resolution of the governing body of the county
433	in the manner prescribed by law. No instrument shall be deemed
434	recorded until filed at the county seat, or a branch office
435	designated by the governing body of the county for the recording
436	of instruments, according to law.
437	ARTICLE XII
438	SCHEDULE
439	SECTION 27.  Elected property appraisers; application.--The
440	requirement in Section 1(d) of Article VIII for a property
441	appraiser to be elected by the electors of the county shall
442	apply in each county, including each charter county, regardless
443	of whether the charter was adopted pursuant to Section 1(g) of
444	Article VIII or pursuant to Section 9, Section 10, Section 11,
445	or Section 24 of Article VIII of the Constitution of 1885, as
446	amended and incorporated by reference in Section 6(e) of Article
447	VIII. Any county that does not have an elected property
448	appraiser on the effective date of the amendment to Section 1 of
449	Article VIII of this constitution shall provide for electing a
450	property appraiser at the next general election as provided by
451	general law.
452	SECTION 28.  Property tax exemptions, ad valorem tax
453	limitations, sales and use tax increase.--The amendments to
454	Sections 3, 4, 6, and 9 of Article VII, providing a $25,000
455	exemption from ad valorem taxation for tangible personal
456	property, providing an additional $25,000 homestead exemption,
457	authorizing the transfer of the accrued benefit from the
458	limitation on the assessment of homestead property, providing an
459	additional homestead exemption for first-time homestead property
460	owners, providing a complete homestead exemption for low-income
461	seniors, providing for assessing rent-restricted affordable
462	housing and commercial and public-access waterfront property
463	pursuant to general law, limiting annual increases in
464	assessments of nonhomestead real property, and requiring the
465	legislature to limit the authority of counties, municipalities,
466	and special districts to increase ad valorem taxes; the creation
467	of Section 19 of Article VII, increasing the state sales and use
468	tax by 1 percent, dedicating the increased revenues to replacing
469	the required local effort for all school districts collectively,
470	and providing for distribution and application of such revenues;
471	the amendment to Section 1 of Article VIII,
472
473
474	== B A L L O T  S T A T E M E N T  A M E N D M E N T ==
475	Remove line(s) 488-562 and insert:
476	ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 3, 4, 6, 9, AND 19
477	ARTICLE VIII, SECTION 1
478	ARTICLE XII, SECTIONS 27 AND 28
479	PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS; LIMITATIONS ON AD VALOREM TAX
480	INCREASES; ELECTED PROPERTY APPRAISERS.--This revision proposes
481	changes to the State Constitution relating to ad valorem
482	taxation and elected property appraisers. With respect to
483	homestead property, this revision 1) adds an additional
484	homestead exemption for most homestead owners, 2) exempts
485	certain low-income seniors from ad valorem tax on their
486	homesteads, 3) provides an additional homestead exemption that
487	diminishes over time for first-time Florida homebuyers, and 4)
488	provides for the transfer of accumulated Save Our Homes
489	benefits. With respect to non-homestead property, this revision
490	allows the Legislature to limit ad valorem assessments on 5)
491	affordable housing and 6) on working waterfronts under specific
492	circumstances, 7) provides a $25,000 exemption for tangible
493	personal property, and 8) limits annual increases in assessments
494	of nonhomestead real property. Further, this revision 9)
495	requires the Legislature to limit the authority of local
496	governments other than school districts to increase property
497	taxes, 10) increases the state sales and use tax by 1 percent,
498	dedicates the increased revenues to replacing the required local
499	effort for all school districts collectively, and provides for
500	distribution and application of such revenues, and 11) requires
501	all county property appraisers to be elected.
502	In more detail, this revision:
503	1.  Increases the homestead exemption by providing an
504	additional $25,000 homestead exemption for the portion of the
505	assessed value above $50,000 up to $75,000.  This exemption does
506	not apply to school taxes.
507	2.  Exempts certain low-income seniors from ad valorem tax
508	on their homes. Persons 65 or older whose household income is
509	less than $23,604, adjusted annually for inflation, will be
510	totally exempt from ad valorem taxes, including school taxes, on
511	their homestead property.
512	3.  Provides an increased exemption for first-time Florida
513	homebuyers beginning in 2008. First-time homebuyers in Florida
514	who qualify for homestead exemption will be eligible for an
515	additional exemption equal to 25 percent of the assessed value
516	of their new home, not to exceed 25 percent of the county median
517	homestead just value for the prior year. The amount of the
518	exemption will decrease each year by the amount of the home's
519	Save Our Homes benefit. When the amount of the home's Save Our
520	Homes benefit meets or exceeds this exemption, the exemption is
521	lost. This exemption also is available to 2007 first-time
522	homebuyers who qualify for homestead exemption January 1, 2008.
523	This exemption does not apply to school taxes.
524	4.  Provides for the transfer of accumulated Save Our Homes
525	benefits. Homestead property owners will be able to transfer
526	their Save Our Homes benefit to a new homestead within two years
527	of relinquishing their previous homestead exemption; except, if
528	the new homestead is established on January 1, 2008, the
529	previous homestead must have been relinquished in 2007. If the
530	new homestead has a higher just value than the old one, the
531	entire benefit can be transferred; if the new homestead has a
532	lower just value, the amount of benefit transferred will be
533	reduced in proportion of the just value of the new homestead to
534	the just value of the old homestead. The transferred benefit may
535	not exceed $1 million. This provision does not apply to school
536	taxes.
537	5.  Provides for assessing certain rent-restricted
538	affordable housing property as provided by general law. This
539	provision will not apply to school taxes.
540	6.  Provides for assessing certain waterfront property used
541	for commercial fishing, commercial water-dependent activities,
542	and public access as provided by general law. This provision
543	will not apply to school taxes.
544	7.  Limits increases in assessments each year for all
545	property other than homestead property to the lower of 3 percent
546	or the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.
547	8.  Authorizes an exemption from ad valorem taxes of
548	$25,000 of assessed value of tangible personal property. This
549	provision applies to all tax levies.
550	9.  Requires the Legislature to limit the authority of
551	counties, municipalities, and special districts to increase ad
552	valorem taxes.
553	10.  Increases the state sales and use tax by 1 percent,
554	dedicates the increased revenues to replacing the required local
555	effort for all school districts collectively, and provides for
556	distribution and application of such revenues.
557	11.  Requires each county to have an elected property
558
559	======= T I T L E  A M E N D M E N T =======
560	Remove line(s) 4-17 and insert:
561	the creation of Section 19 of Article VII and Sections 27 and 28
562	of Article XII of the State Constitution, to require an
563	exemption from ad valorem taxation for tangible personal
564	property, to provide for the transfer of the accrued benefit
565	from the limitation on the assessed value of homestead property,
566	to provide for assessing rent-restricted affordable housing and
567	commercial and public-access waterfront property by general law,
568	to limit assessment increases for nonhomestead real property, to
569	increase the homestead exemption, to create an additional
570	homestead exemption for first-time homestead property owners, to
571	provide a complete homestead exemption for low-income seniors,
572	to require the Legislature to limit county, municipality, and
573	special district authority to increase ad valorem taxes, to
574	increase the state sales and use tax to replace school district
575	revenues lost from not imposing a required local effort on
576	homestead property,

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.