Florida Constitutional Amendment #3, the Additional Homestead Property Tax Exemption for Certain Public Service Workers Amendment, was approved by the State Legislature and is on the November 8 ballot in Florida as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.
The amendment would authorize the Florida State Legislature to provide an additional homestead property tax exemption of $50,000 on the assessed value between $100,000 and $150,000, exempting that amount from all taxes other than school district taxes, for property owned by certain public service workers. Public service workers who could qualify for the additional exemption would include K-12 classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, paramedics, active duty members of the military and Florida National Guard, and state child welfare service employees. Those receiving the additional exemption would be required to annually provide proof of full-time qualifying employment. If approved, the amendment would take effect on January 1, 2023.
With the Chamber and others actively advocating for changes in laws that would allow easier access to affordable workforce housing for our employees in the $45k-$65k income band to ensure the continued viability of our healthcare, public safety, public education, and manufacturing sectors, providing an additional homestead exemption will complement our efforts and make long-term homeownership possible for these workers. Amendment #3 is a win/win for St. Johns County.
