BRADENTON, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two pieces of legislation Wednesday he says will increase transparency and accountability in local government while advancing property tax relief for Florida homeowners.
The bills — Senate Bill 4-F and House Bill 1329 — place new limits on local governments’ ability to raise property taxes and require greater public disclosure of how taxpayer money is spent.
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“Florida has reduced its budget for four straight years and has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and respect for taxpayers,” DeSantis said. “Now, we are stepping in to protect taxpayers from taxes at the local level.”
Senate Bill 4-F: Tightening limits on property tax increases
SB 4-F strengthens safeguards against local property tax increases and serves as the implementation bill for a proposed constitutional amendment — dubbed “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” — that voters will consider in November 2026.
Under current law, local governments may increase the rolled-back rate based on growth in Florida’s per-capita personal income. SB 4-F removes that adjustment and generally limits the maximum levy to the standard rolled-back rate.
The bill also establishes higher approval thresholds for local governments seeking to exceed the rolled-back rate. Millage rates up to 110 percent of the rolled-back rate require a two-thirds vote of the governing body. Rates above 110 percent require a unanimous vote, a three-fourths vote for larger governing boards or voter approval through referendum.
DeSantis says the reforms are expected to reduce the base millage rate for many jurisdictions and limit local governments’ ability to increase property tax collections without broad public support.
House Bill 1329: Local Government Financial Transparency, Accountability Act
HB 1329 — the Local Government Financial Transparency and Accountability Act — requires counties and municipalities to provide taxpayers with greater visibility into government spending and budget decisions.
Under the legislation, local governments must publish detailed financial information online, including budget summaries, revenues and expenditures, departmental spending, staffing information, reserve levels and fund balances, as well as additional financial reports and budget documents.
The bill also requires quarterly reports on employee compensation and establishes annual budget development calendars to promote year-round transparency.
HB 1329 also requires local governments to conduct a budget reduction exercise before adopting a final budget. Local officials must identify strategies to reduce proposed spending by 10 percent without affecting essential services such as law enforcement, fire protection and other legally required government functions.
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia praised the signing.
“Local governments have continued to grow their budgets by resorting to scare tactics like threatening cuts to essential services,” Ingoglia said. “This pivotal piece of legislation pulls the curtain back on local government’s wasteful spending so that Floridians are better equipped to hold their local officials accountable.”