Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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1 A bill to be entitled An act relating to ad valorem taxation; amending s , F.S.; revising authority of the property appraiser to inspect property for assessment purposes; amending s , F.S.; revising information required to be provided on the disclosure of tax impact form; providing legislative intent; specifying that taxpayers are precluded from having certain burdens of proof; amending s , F.S.; revising the assessment of homestead property damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity; amending s , F.S.; revising required time limitations for filing applications for homestead exemptions; revising procedural requirements for property appraiser approval of such exemptions; amending s F.S.; revising the term "exempt use of property"; amending s , F.S.; specifying requirements for data to be published by the Department of Revenue; extending the publication period; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Subsection (2) of section , Florida Duties of the property appraiser in making assessments.-- (2) In making his or her assessment of the value of real property, the property appraiser is required to physically inspect the property at least once every 5 years. Where Page 1 of 7

2 geographically suitable, and at the discretion of the property appraiser, the property appraiser may use image technology in lieu of physical inspection to ensure that the tax roll meets all requirements of the law, and may review image technology, as the property appraiser deems necessary, to ensure that the tax roll meets all the requirements of law. However, the property appraiser shall physically inspect any parcel of taxable real property upon the request of the taxpayer or owner. Section 2. Subsection (1) of section , Florida Disclosure of tax impact.-- (1) After hearing all petitions, complaints, appeals, and disputes, the clerk shall make public notice of the findings and results of the board in at least a quarter-page size advertisement of a standard size or tabloid size newspaper, and the headline shall be in a type no smaller than 18 point. The advertisement shall not be placed in that portion of the newspaper where legal notices and classified advertisements appear. The advertisement shall be published in a newspaper of general paid circulation in the county. The newspaper selected shall be one of general interest and readership in the community, and not one of limited subject matter, pursuant to chapter 50. The headline shall read: TAX IMPACT OF VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD. The public notice shall list the members of the value adjustment board and the taxing authorities to which they are elected. The form shall show, in columnar form, for each of the property classes listed under subsection (2), the following information, with appropriate column totals: Page 2 of 7

3 (a) In the first column, the number of parcels for which the board granted exemptions that had been denied or that had not been acted upon by the property appraiser. (b) In the second column, the number of parcels for which petitions were filed concerning a property tax exemption. (c) In the third column, the number of parcels for which the board considered the petition and reduced the assessment from that made by the property appraiser on the initial assessment roll. (d) In the fourth column, the number of parcels for which petitions were filed but not considered by the board because such petitions were withdrawn or settled prior to the board's consideration. (e)(d) In the fifth fourth column, the number of parcels for which petitions were filed requesting a change in assessed value, including requested changes in assessment classification. (f)(e) In the sixth fifth column, the net change in taxable value from the assessor's initial roll which results from board decisions. (g)(f) In the seventh sixth column, the net shift in taxes to parcels not granted relief by the board. The shift shall be computed as the amount shown in column 6 5 multiplied by the applicable millage rates adopted by the taxing authorities in hearings held pursuant to s (2)(d) or adopted by vote of the electors pursuant to s. 9(b) or s. 12, Art. VII of the State Constitution, but without adjustment as authorized pursuant to s (6). If for any taxing authority the hearing has not been completed at the time the notice required herein is Page 3 of 7

4 prepared, the millage rate used shall be that adopted in the hearing held pursuant to s (2)(c). Section 3. Paragraph (c) of subsection (4) of section , Florida Homestead assessments.--homestead property shall be assessed at just value as of January 1, Property receiving the homestead exemption after January 1, 1994, shall be assessed at just value as of January 1 of the year in which the property receives the exemption unless the provisions of subsection (8) apply. (4) (c) Changes, additions, or improvements that replace all or a portion of real property that was damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity shall be assessed upon substantial completion as if such damage or destruction had not occurred and in accordance with paragraph (b) if the owner of such property: 1. Was permanently residing on such property or improvements were under construction and subject to completion prior to January 1 of the year when the damage or destruction occurred.; 2. Was not entitled to receive homestead exemption on such property as of January 1 of that year.; and 3. Applies for and receives homestead exemption on such property the year following the completion of improvements made in compliance with paragraph (b) year. Section 4. Subsection (8) of section , Florida Annual application required for exemption.-- Page 4 of 7

5 (8) Any applicant who is qualified to receive any exemption under subsection (1) and who fails to file an application by March 1, must may file an application for the exemption with the property appraiser on or before the 25th day following the mailing by the property appraiser of the notices required under s (1). Upon receipt of sufficient evidence, as determined by the property appraiser, demonstrating the applicant was unable to apply for the exemption in a timely manner or otherwise demonstrating extenuating circumstances judged by the property appraiser to warrant granting the exemption, the property appraiser may grant the exemption. If the applicant fails to produce sufficient evidence demonstrating the applicant was unable to apply for the exemption in a timely manner or otherwise demonstrating extenuating circumstances as judged by the property appraiser, the applicant and may file, pursuant to s (3), a petition with the value adjustment board requesting that the exemption be granted. Such petition must may be filed at any time during the taxable year on or before the 25th day following the mailing of the notice by the property appraiser as provided in s (1). Notwithstanding the provisions of s , such person must pay a nonrefundable fee of $15 upon filing the petition. Upon reviewing the petition, if the person is qualified to receive the exemption and demonstrates particular extenuating circumstances judged by the property appraiser or the value adjustment board to warrant granting the exemption, the property appraiser or the value adjustment board may grant the exemption for the current year. Page 5 of 7

6 Section 5. Subsection (1) of section , Florida Definitions.--For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms are defined as follows, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) "Exempt use of property" or "use of property for exempt purposes" means predominant or exclusive use of property owned by an exempt entity for educational, literary, scientific, religious, charitable, or governmental purposes, as defined in this chapter. The term use of property for exempt purposes includes the use of property as a parsonage. Section 6. Section , Florida Statutes, is amended to read: Research and tabulation of data.--the department shall conduct constant research and maintain accurate tabulations of data and conditions existing as to ad valorem taxation, shall annually publish such data as may be appropriate to facilitate fiscal policymaking, and shall annually make such recommendations to the Legislature as are necessary to ensure that property is valued according to its just value and is equitably taxed throughout the state. Such data shall include the annual percentage increase in total nonvoted ad valorem taxes levied by each city and county and shall include information on the distribution of ad valorem taxes levied among the various classifications of property, including homestead, nonhomestead residential, new construction, commercial, and industrial properties. Such data shall include the previous year's adopted millage rate, the current year's millage rate, Page 6 of 7

7 and the current percentage increase in taxes levied above the rolled-back rate. Such data shall be published, at a minimum, on the department's website and on the websites of all property appraisers of this state, if available. Publication shall occur not later than days after receipt of extended rolls for all counties pursuant to s (7). Section 7. This act shall take effect July 1, Page 7 of 7