Breaking Down Florida's Latest Legislation: 15 New Bills That Could Transform the Sunshine State

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As the upcoming Legislative session in Florida draws near, state lawmakers are actively introducing new bills that could shape next year’s legal landscape.

This past Thursday saw the submission of 15 additional bills, with a significant portion dedicated to property-tax reform, spearheaded by State Senator Mack Bernard from West Palm Beach.

Interestingly, four of Bernard’s proposals take the form of constitutional amendments. Even if these gain legislative approval next year, they will require a 60% majority vote from the public in the subsequent general election to be enacted.

[BELOW: News 6 examines five other bills introduced this week]

Property tax reform remains a key priority for state officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis, who has pledged to advocate for measures that could significantly reduce or potentially abolish property taxes altogether.

In the meantime, all of Thursday’s new bills are as follows:

HB 253 — Veteran Dental Care

House Bill 253 aims to establish a Veterans Dental Care Program to expand access to comprehensive services for eligible veterans.

Under this bill, the program must provide dental services like routine examinations, cleanings, dental fillings, crowns, root canal therapy, dentures and more.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.

HB 255 — Condominium Associations

House Bill 255 would require condominium associations to file a “turnover certificate” with the state within 30 days after unit owners elect a majority of the board.

This certificate must include the election date, names and mailing address of the elected unit-owner board members.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.

HB 257 — Prostitution Penalties

House Bill 257 creates harsher penalties for prostitution and related crimes, including stiffer classifications for repeat offenders.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1, 2026.

SB 264 — New State Bird

Senate Bill 264 would require state officials to develop a survey among the state’s youth to determine whether another bird should be picked to represent the state.

Such a survey would be provided at Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network summer camps in the summers of 2026 and 2027, and it would have to include the following birds:

American osprey
Florida scrub jay
American flamingo
American white ibis

Afterward, the survey results would be handed off to the state Senate President and House Speaker for consideration.

If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.

SB 266 — Public Adjuster Contracts

Senate Bill 266 expands rescission rights for “vulnerable adults” in the state using public adjuster services.

Under this bill, adults who lack the ability to consent and their legal representatives would be allowed to rescind a contract for public adjuster services to adjust a claim at any time without penalty.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.

SB 268 — Public Records (Emergency Physicians)

Senate Bill 268 would establish a public records exemption for emergency physicians in the state.

This exemption would apply to personal information about these physicians, including names, home addresses, phone numbers and places of work.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.

SJR 270 — Property Tax Exemptions (65+)

Senate Joint Resolution 270 sets up a constitutional amendment to exempt residents ages 65 and over from paying non-school taxes on their homes.

This exemption applies to homes owned and maintained as a permanent residence for at least five years, with a household income of $350,000 or less (adjusted annually for inflation).

If passed by lawmakers and signed by the governor, the amendment would go to voters for approval in the 2026 general election.

It would need 60% of the vote to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

SB 272 — Property Tax Exemptions (65+)

Senate Bill 272 would incorporate the new rules of SJR 270 if it gets approved by voters in the 2026 general election.

SJR 274 — Property Tax Exemptions (Long-Term)

Senate Joint Resolution 274 sets up a constitutional amendment to prevent the assessed value of properties from going up.

This prohibition would apply to properties that have been owned and lived in for at least 20 years.

The proposal would also grant properties an extra homestead tax exemption equal to 50% of their assessed values (not including school district levies) if they’ve been owned and lived in as a primary residence for at least 30 years.

If passed by lawmakers and signed by the governor, the amendment would go to voters for approval in the 2026 general election.

It would need 60% of the vote to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

SB 276 — Property Tax Exemptions (Long-Term)

Senate Bill 276 would incorporate the new rules of SJR 274 if it gets approved by voters in the 2026 general election.

SJR 278 — Assessed Value Limits (Homes)

Senate Joint Resolution 278 sets up a constitutional amendment to limit the assessed values of certain homes in the state.

More specifically, the proposal would apply to new homestead properties established after a change of ownership that had an assessed value of under $500,000 in the preceding year.

Under this amendment, the assessed value of such a property could not be raised by over 150% in a given year for property taxes.

If passed by lawmakers and signed by the governor, the amendment would go to voters for approval in the 2026 general election.

It would need 60% of the vote to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

SB 280 — Assessed Value Limits (Homes)

Senate Bill 280 would incorporate the new rules of SJR 278 if it gets approved by voters in the 2026 general election.

SJR 282 — Assessed Value Limits (Businesses)

Senate Joint Resolution 282 would limit the assessed value of real property used for commercial purposes by small businesses.

More specifically, the proposal would prevent the assessed value from rising by over 3% or the CPI percentage change — whichever is lower.

If passed by lawmakers and signed by the governor, the amendment would go to voters for approval in the 2026 general election.

It would need 60% of the vote to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

SB 284 — Assessed Value Limits (Businesses)

Senate Bill 284 would incorporate the new rules of SJR 282 if it gets approved by voters in the 2026 general election.

SB 286 — Assessed Value Limits (Improvements)

Senate Bill 286 would amend state statutes surrounding how additions or improvements to homestead properties can be assessed for property taxes.

Under this bill, improvement projects with a total just value under $100,000 would use a new formula to determine how much they add to the property’s assessed value.

That formula divides the property’s assessed value at Jan. 1 by the property’s just value as of that same date, then multiplies that ratio by the just value of the project.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026.

Meanwhile, other sets of bills filed this month include the following: