Florida’s Future is on the Ballot
Amendment 3: What You Need to Know About Potential Impacts to Our Communities, Water Quality and Wild Lands.
If passed by Floridians in the November 2026 election, Amendment 3 would increase the state’s homestead property tax exemption, effectively lowering property taxes for certain homes.
Local property taxes fund critical services for Floridians—from drinking water supply and water quality improvements to land conservation. Local emergency response and protection from flooding are also funded by property taxes. If Amendment 3 passes, the loss of revenue to local governments and water management districts will have severe, negative impacts on Floridians’ quality of life.
If Amendment 3 passes:
- $12 Billion will be lost for critical local services and natural resources by 2030.
- $200 Million will be lost by 2030 to maintain infrastructure that provides clean drinking water for millions of Floridians.
Source: Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR), Florida Legislature
Statement from Executive Director Greg Knecht
On Nov. 3, Florida voters will make a choice on Amendment 3 that will change the course of Florida’s future. Choose to protect our land and water on the ballot.
Read moreHow Amendment 3 Will Impact Florida Communities
Protecting Florida’s quality of life isn’t free.
According to the Florida Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Amendment 3 will reduce local funding by nearly $12 billion per year when fully implemented by 2030.
That’s not just bloated salaries and pet projects. To replace this drastic loss of property tax revenue that pays for critical services and natural resources—including clean drinking water, flood prevention, springs protection and agricultural land protection—state and local lawmakers will likely have to create new ways to raise money. This “cost shift” will result in higher fees and taxes, as well as cuts to essential staff and services.
While it proposes tax relief for some homeowners, Amendment 3 puts our basic quality of life at risk and threatens what makes Florida such a special place to call home.
If Amendment 3 passes:
How Amendment 3 Will Impact the Quality of Florida’s Water
The future of clean water is on the ballot.
One of the best ways to see property tax dollars in action is by turning on the faucet. The clean water we depend on is maintained by five water management districts, which are funded by property taxes.
In Florida, water management districts play a critical role in protecting water resources for millions of residents. In addition to safeguarding the water we drink, they also maintain the systems that protect our property from flooding. Many of Florida’s drains, pipes, culverts and other elements of essential infrastructure require improvements and continue to deteriorate. If passed, Amendment 3 will shortchange funding to improve these systems by nearly $200 million by 2030.
Additionally, Water Management Districts help protect our sensitive natural waterways from pollution. Florida already faces significant challenges to our supply of clean water, including dying springs, stormwater runoff and rapid development. Defunding these agencies will allow these problems to worsen.
If Amendment 3 passes, local leaders may be forced to abandon important water-related improvements, such as stormwater management, septic conversions and flood mitigation, in favor of more temporary solutions that will likely cost Floridians more in the long run.
Manatees aren’t the only Floridians who rely on clean water. Property taxes fund the infrastructure that delivers drinking water to our faucets.
Such unprecedented loss in funding will have consequences that will show up in our everyday lives, our communities and the health of our natural resources.
How Amendment 3 Will Impact the Protection of Wild Lands
Property taxes help keep Florida wild.
Amendment 3 jeopardizes important land conservation programs across the state that rely on property tax revenue, including critical projects like the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Property tax dollars also help fund the management and restoration of public lands, such as your favorite city and county parks. Without the revenue from property taxes, some of our most treasured natural places across the state may suffer, along with the vital plants and animals that make them home.
Florida maintains a long tradition of conservation, and voters have consistently approved local land protection programs at the city and county level. Without property tax funding, communities will face difficult decisions about what wild lands they can afford to protect for future generations.
Property taxes fund the quality of life that makes Florida a wonderful place to live. This election, voters have the opportunity to choose to continue investing in clean water—or potentially lose it forever.
What You Can Do
On November 3, make the most informed decision possible when voting on Amendment 3. Choose to protect the lands and waters that ensure our quality of life in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Amendment 3
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- Amendment 3 could change Florida’s constitution to raise the homestead property tax exemption that applies to non-school property taxes from the current $50,000 to $150,000 starting January 1, 2027, and $250,000 starting January 1, 2028. In addition, the $250,000 exemption shall be adjusted annually for inflation beginning January 1, 2029, and each year thereafter.
- Reduces the cap on increases to assessments for non-homestead residential property which contains nine units or fewer from 10% to 5%.
- Reduces the cap on increases to assessments for nonresidential property from 10% to 5%.
- Restricts how local governments can use property tax revenue for flood control, drinking-water systems, natural resource protection, public safety, education and more.
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County and local governments will be forced to create or increase taxes, assessments and fees to compensate for lost property tax revenue. Additionally, they may need to reduce essential services, staff and projects.
Water Impacts
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- Florida's five Water Management Districts rely on property tax revenue to fund water quality improvement projects, flood control infrastructure, nutrient reduction programs, springs and aquifer protection, and other critical services and systems.
- Local governments use property tax revenue to fund flood control, water quality, stormwater management and other essential programs.
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Florida's five Water Management Districts—Northwest Florida Water Management District, South Florida Water Management District, Southwest Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District and Suwannee Water Management District—manage water quality projects, flood control infrastructure, nutrient reduction programs, springs and aquifer protection, and other critical services and systems. Additionally, local governments manage flood control, water quality, stormwater infrastructure and other essential programs.
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Florida's five Water Management Districts protect the state’s natural water resources, including groundwater, springs, rivers, lakes and wetlands, by monitoring water quality, regulating water use, funding water quality improvement projects and other essential functions.
Land Impacts
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Florida property taxes help buy, restore and manage lands that protect drinking water supplies, improve water quality, preserve wetlands, reduce flooding, create recreation opportunities and conserve natural resources for future generations.
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Florida’s natural lands are protected by state and local government agencies, federal partnerships, nonprofit conservation organizations, nonprofit land trusts, private landowners and some agricultural operations.
- Examples of state agencies that protect natural lands are the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (including the Florida Forever program) and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program).