Bill Sklar Interviewed in Daily Business Review: “Florida Real Estate Legislation to Watch in 2026”

Bill Sklar was interviewed in a Daily Business Review article titled “Florida Real Estate Legislation to Watch in 2026.” The article discusses legislation filed ahead of the 2026 session of the Florida Legislature, dozens of which aim to heed a request from Gov. Ron DeSantis to reduce ad valorem real estate taxes.

“I see that as one of the most significant priorities of both [legislative chambers] and the governor’s office,” Sklar said. “That seems to be the biggest concentration of bills thus far filed that have committee referrals.”

Gov. DeSantis began calling for the elimination of property taxes last year — an idea Sklar said is great in theory but hasn't been backed by a complete plan to offset the lost revenue for local governments. “Although we’re all in favor of reducing tax burdens, roughly 25% of all essential services of local budgets are from real property taxes," he stated. "So that would have to be made up somewhere else."

Sklar said of all the proposals aimed at cutting property taxes teed up this session, one suggestion for a “first-time buyer” exception has caught his eye since it has sponsors in both chambers and both parties. “You’re going to see that [bill] travel, especially in the rare time you see in this state a bipartisan bill, where you have, from both parties, sponsors, both in leadership level,” he said.

Sklar said that over the next few months, the dozens of proposals to cut ad valorem real estate taxes will likely be consolidated into a single package presented to DeSantis. What’s unlikely, he said, is that the proposal will call for the complete elimination of property taxes, as the governor has requested. “There is a desire in both the house and the senate to favorably respond to the governor's proposal, but without the complete elimination of ad valorem taxes.”

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