NFIB

House and Senate pass property tax reform bills
The Florida House and Senate both passed their respective property tax reform bills this week and appointed conference committee members to work out differences between the two chambers. As described in NFIB/Florida Capitol Update last week, the two plans are drastically different. Lawmakers are hopeful a compromise can be reached before the end of the legislative session on May 4.

HB 7001 (Attkisson), which would roll back property tax rates to 2000-01 levels and impose a revenue cap equal to inflation plus population growth, passed unanimously 118-0. Subsequently, the Senate took up the bill, stripped the House language and replaced it with language contained in SB 1020 (Haridopolos), which would roll back property tax rates to 2005-06 levels and impose a revenue cap of personal income growth plus population growth. The bill then passed unanimously by a vote of 40-0. The House refused to concur with the changes, setting up the need for a conference committee.
 
HJR 7089 (Policy and Budget Council) met with the most resistance. The joint resolution would allow counties, cities and school districts to eliminate property taxes on homesteaded property and impose additional sales taxes up to 1 percent. This bill also contains the tangible personal property tax exemption important to small business. The bill passed on a party line vote of 78-40, enough votes to place the measure on the 2008 ballot, but short of the three-quarters needed to call a special election this fall. Just as it did on HB 7001, the Senate took up the joint resolution and replaced the House language with the Senate version, which provides a $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property tax, guarantees new homeowners a $25,000 Save Our Homes differential and provides for portability of Save Our Homes savings.

Of great importance to small-business owners, the Senate plan contains language initiated by NFIB that provides authority for the legislature to make future changes to the tangible personal property tax. Currently, changes can only be made by constitutional amendment, effectively preventing any reductions in the tax.

Related Links:
Florida House passes Republican property tax reform measure
Florida Senate unanimously passes tax overhaul plan
Sizable tax breaks for homes, businesses look like real deal

Gun bill defeated in House committee
The House Environment and Natural Resources Council defeated NRA-backed legislation that would have prevented employers from enforcing policies prohibiting employees from keeping firearms in their vehicles at work. In a surprising 10-4 vote against HB 1417 (Baxley), members ended all chances of passage this year. The Senate bill, SB 2356 (Peaden), had passed all assigned committees, and was awaiting action on the floor of that chamber. NRA representatives promise to bring the bill back next year.

Property rights bills move forward
SB 1920 (Fasano) and HB 559 (Brown), legislation authorizing private property owners to prohibit or regulate signature gathering and other activities supporting or proposing ballot initiatives, is scheduled for a final committee meeting in the Senate next week. In some areas of the state, law enforcement has been reluctant to remove signature gatherers due to conflicting court rulings, forcing owners of retail establishments and other commercial enterprises to allow activities they oppose. The House bill is awaiting action on the floor.

Sincerely,
Bill Herrle
NFIB/Florida Executive Director
bill.herrle@nfib.org