§ 218.136, F.S. — Offset for ad valorem revenue loss affecting fiscally constrained counties

# (1)

Beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026, the Legislature shall appropriate moneys to offset the reductions in ad valorem tax revenue experienced by fiscally constrained counties, as defined in s. 218.67(1), which occur as a direct result of the implementation of revisions of s. 6(a), Art. VII of the State Constitution approved in the November 2024 general election. The moneys appropriated for this purpose shall be distributed in January of each fiscal year among the fiscally constrained counties based on each county’s proportion of the total reduction in ad valorem tax revenue resulting from the implementation of the revision of s. 6(a), Art. VII of the State Constitution.

# (2)

On or before November 15 of each year, each fiscally constrained county shall apply to the Department of Revenue to participate in the distribution of the appropriation and provide documentation supporting the county’s estimated reduction in ad valorem tax revenue in the form and manner prescribed by the Department of Revenue. The documentation must include an estimate of the reduction in taxable value directly attributable to revisions of s. 6(a), Art. VII of the State Constitution approved in the November 2024 general election for all county taxing jurisdictions within the county and shall be prepared by the property appraiser in each fiscally constrained county. The documentation must also include the county millage rates applicable in all such jurisdictions for the current year and the prior year, rolled-back rates determined as provided in s. 200.065 for each county taxing jurisdiction, and maximum millage rates that could have been levied by majority vote pursuant to s. 200.065(5). For purposes of this section, each fiscally constrained county’s reduction in ad valorem tax revenue shall be calculated as 95 percent of the estimated reduction in taxable value multiplied by the lesser of the 2024 applicable millage rate or the applicable millage rate for each county taxing jurisdiction in the current year. If a fiscally constrained county fails to apply for the distribution, its share shall revert to the fund from which the appropriation was made.

¹Note.—A. Section 5, ch. 2024-261, provides that “[t]his act shall take effect on the effective date of the amendment to the State Constitution proposed by HJR 7017 or a similar joint resolution having substantially the same specific intent and purpose, if such amendment is approved at the next general election or at an earlier special election specifically authorized by law for that purpose.” If such an amendment is approved, this section will take effect January 1, 2025.B. Section 3, ch. 2024-261, provides:“(1) The Department of Revenue may, and all conditions are deemed met, to adopt emergency rules pursuant to s. 120.54(4), Florida Statutes, to administer this act.“(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, emergency rules adopted pursuant to this section are effective for 6 months after adoption and may be renewed during the pendency of procedures to adopt permanent rules.”C. Section 4, ch. 2024-261, provides that “[t]he amendments made by this act to s. 196.031, Florida Statutes, and the creation by this act of s. 218.136, Florida Statutes, first apply to the 2025 tax roll.”