Florida HB 227: Criminal Sentencing

Bill Text

CS/HB 227 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb227-01-c1
Page 1 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to eligibility of leasehold interests 2
for homestead exemptions; amending s. 196.041, F.S.; 3
revising the circumstances under which a person may be 4
deemed to have legal or beneficial and equitable title 5
to certain property for homestead exemption purposes; 6
providing construction; providing an effective date. 7
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 9
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Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 196.041, Florida 11
Statutes, is amended to read: 12
196.041 Extent of homestead exemptions.— 13
(1) Vendees in possession of real estate under bona fide 14
contracts to purchase when such instruments, under which they 15
claim title, are recorded in the office of the clerk of the 16
circuit court where said properties lie, and who reside thereon 17
in good faith and make the same their permanent residence; 18
persons residing on real estate by virtue of dower or other 19
estates therein limited in time by deed, will, jointure, or 20
settlement; and lessees owning the leasehold interest in a bona 21
fide lease having an original term of 98 years or more in a 22
residential parcel or in a condominium parcel as defined in 23
chapter 718, even if such lease contains a provision terminating 24
the leasehold interest upon the death of the lessees, or persons 25

CS/HB 227 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb227-01-c1
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

holding leases of 50 years or more, existing prior to June 19, 26
1973, for the purpose of homestead exemptions from ad valorem 27
taxes and no other purpose, shall be deemed to have legal or 28
beneficial and equitable title to said property. In addition, a 29
tenant-stockholder or member of a cooperative apartment 30
corporation who is entitled solely by reason of ownership of 31
stock or membership in the corporation to occupy for dwelling 32
purposes an apartment in a building owned by the corporation, 33
for the purpose of homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes and 34
for no other purpose, is deemed to have beneficial title in 35
equity to said apartment and a proportionate share of the land 36
on which the building is situated. 37
Section 2. The amendment made by this act to s. 196.041, 38
Florida Statutes, is remedial and clarifying in nature. 39
Section 3. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. 40