Jacob Ogles
Florida voters will likely have a vote next year on whether to give farmers a tax break on land.
The Legislature voted to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot to exempt tangible property from property taxes on agricultural land, or if it is used for agricultural production or tourism.
“This is a great opportunity to help farmers reach their goals and their needs,” said Sen. Keith Truenow, a Tavares Republican.
He presented a joint resolution (SJR 318) on the Senate floor on the last day of the Regular Session. The measure passed on a 37-0 vote.
Meanwhile, the House on April 25 passed its own identical joint resolution (HJR 1215) on a vote of 110-1, with only Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani of Orlando voting “no.”
Eskamani, in a vote explanation, said she was concerned about the impact the tax exemptions could have on local governments. A revenue estimating conference for the House figured the bill would cut taxes by at least $28.7 million.
“This bill would have a $30 million fiscal impact for local governments, with no guardrails to prevent windfalls. It would also mostly benefit a handful of giant agribusinesses with multiple TPP (tangible personal property) accounts,” Eskamani argued. “There could be a more targeted approach to support smaller business owners and farmers, but this approach is not targeted enough to earn my support.”
But lawmakers for the most part embraced the potential tax cut.
“Farmers are the lifeblood of our State and removing barriers to their survival and therefore our own is essential to making sure we have a safe and secure food supply,” wrote Rep. Danny Alvarez, a Tampa Republican, in a bill explanation.
“The Tangible Personal Property tax literally handicaps a struggling sector of our society that we so desperately rely on. Getting rid of it allows farmers and ranchers the chance to reinvest their money in themselves in order to (ensure) we all have a better tomorrow.”
Joint resolutions do not need to go to the Governor’s Office for signature and are not subject to vetoes. Such resolutions require support from at least three-fifths of members of the House and Senate to pass.
The measure will appear on the 2026 General Election ballot statewide as a proposed constitutional amendment, and must earn the support of 60% of voters to pass.
