summary
Introduced
02/26/2025
02/26/2025
In Committee
04/25/2025
04/25/2025
Crossed Over
04/25/2025
04/25/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to local option taxes; amending s. 125.0104, F.S.; removing definitions; revising the purposes for which certain tax revenues may be used; removing requirements for a tourist development council revising procedures for levying a certain tax; requiring tax revenues be used for completing certain projects; prohibiting certain contracts from being renewed or extended; authorizing certain bonds to be refinanced under certain conditions; authorizing certain revenues to be used for any public purpose; requiring a reduction in ad valorem tax beginning in a specified year in a certain manner; providing construction; authorizing certain tax revenues to be used for specified purposes; removing requirements for automatic expiration of bonds; removing requirement for county tourism promotion agencies; providing applicability; requiring certain tourist development councils to be dissolved by a date certain; requiring certain county tourism promotion agencies to meet certain requirements in order to continue; amending s. 212.0306, F.S.; providing for the expiration of specified ordinances; authorizing the adoption of new ordinances; amending s. 212.055, F.S.; authorizing certain boards that levy a specified tax to reduce or hb1221 -03-e1repeal such tax beginning on a date certain; providing procedures for such reduction or repeal; amending ss. 72.011, 72.031, and 212.181, F.S.; conforming cross- references; amending s. 11.40, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 11.45, F.S.; requiring the Auditor General to contact certain local governments; requiring such local governments to provide specified evidence within a certain time period; requiring notification to the Legislative Auditing Committee in specified circumstances; creating s. 205.046, F.S.; requiring that a specified document be filed with a certain audit; providing requirements for such document; amending ss. 215.97, and 218.32, F.S.; conforming cross-references; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill reforms local option taxes, particularly tourist development taxes, with significant changes to how counties can use and allocate these tax revenues. The bill fundamentally restructures the use of tourist development tax collections, requiring counties beginning in fiscal year 2026-2027 to use a portion of the adjusted tax collections to reduce ad valorem (property) taxes. Specifically, counties must reduce their ad valorem tax levy by at least 75 percent of the adjusted tax collections from the prior fiscal year, providing tax relief to property owners. Any remaining adjusted collections not used for ad valorem tax reduction can be used for any public purpose, including repaying current or future bonded indebtedness. The bill also dissolves existing tourist development councils by December 31, 2025, and requires county tourism promotion agencies to be affirmatively approved by county commissions to continue operating. Additionally, the legislation provides provisions for existing projects, contracts, and bonds to be completed or refinanced under certain conditions, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing initiatives. The bill aims to provide more flexibility to counties in using tourist development tax revenues while simultaneously offering property tax relief to residents.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Government Affairs
Sponsors (4)
Other Sponsors (2)
State Affairs Committee (H), Ways & Means Committee (H)
Last Action
Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration (on 05/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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