Filed: Sep. 13, 2019
Latest Update: Mar. 03, 2020
Summary: NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL OF FLORIDA SECOND DISTRICT WILLIAM DAVID FITTS and NANCY B. ) FITTS, ) ) Appellants, ) ) v. ) Case No. 2D18-538 ) BILL FURST, as Sarasota County Property ) Appraiser, and LEON M. BIEGALSKI, as ) Executive Director of the Department of ) Revenue, ) ) Appellees. ) ) Opinion filed September 13, 2019. Appeal from the Circuit Court for Sarasota County; Frederick P. Mercurio, Judge. David A.
Summary: NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING MOTION AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL OF FLORIDA SECOND DISTRICT WILLIAM DAVID FITTS and NANCY B. ) FITTS, ) ) Appellants, ) ) v. ) Case No. 2D18-538 ) BILL FURST, as Sarasota County Property ) Appraiser, and LEON M. BIEGALSKI, as ) Executive Director of the Department of ) Revenue, ) ) Appellees. ) ) Opinion filed September 13, 2019. Appeal from the Circuit Court for Sarasota County; Frederick P. Mercurio, Judge. David A. ..
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NOT FINAL UNTIL TIME EXPIRES TO FILE REHEARING
MOTION AND, IF FILED, DETERMINED
IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL
OF FLORIDA
SECOND DISTRICT
WILLIAM DAVID FITTS and NANCY B. )
FITTS, )
)
Appellants, )
)
v. ) Case No. 2D18-538
)
BILL FURST, as Sarasota County Property )
Appraiser, and LEON M. BIEGALSKI, as )
Executive Director of the Department of )
Revenue, )
)
Appellees. )
)
Opinion filed September 13, 2019.
Appeal from the Circuit Court for Sarasota
County; Frederick P. Mercurio, Judge.
David A. Wallace and Amanda R. Kison of
Bentley & Bruning, P.A., Sarasota, for
Appellants.
Jason A. Lessinger, J. Geoffrey Pflugner,
Anthony Manganiello, III, and Mark C.
Dungan of Icard, Merrill, Cullis, Timm,
Furen & Ginsburg, P.A., Sarasota, for
Appellee Bill Furst.
Ashley Moody, Attorney General, and
Robert P. Elson, Senior Assistant Attorney
General, Tallahassee, for Appellee Leon M.
Biegalski.
BLACK, Judge.
William and Nancy Fitts filed a lawsuit against the Sarasota County
Property Appraiser (Property Appraiser) and the Executive Director of the Florida
Department of Revenue (Director) after the Property Appraiser recorded a tax lien on
their home pursuant to section 196.161(1)(b), Florida Statutes (2016), and revoked their
homestead tax exemption.1 The Fittses brought the suit after the Property Appraiser
determined that for approximately five years the Fittses had been benefitting from a
homestead tax exemption on their Sarasota County home while simultaneously
receiving the benefit of a tax exemption in Ohio based upon permanent residency there
in violation of section 196.031(5). The Fittses now appeal the entry of the final
summary judgment in favor of the Property Appraiser and the Director, raising five
issues. We affirm in all respects and write only to address the second issue raised on
appeal concerning the circuit court's interpretation and application of section
196.161(1)(b). For the reasons expressed herein, we conclude that the circuit court did
not err in determining that the Fittses' Sarasota County home is subject to back taxes,
penalties, and interest pursuant to section 196.161(1)(b) despite the Fittses being
permanent residents of Florida who did not intend to receive the benefit of the tax
exemption based upon permanent residency in Ohio.
Section 196.031(5) provides, in part, that "[a] person who is receiving or
claiming the benefit of an ad valorem tax exemption or a tax credit in another state
where permanent residency is required as a basis for the granting of that ad valorem tax
1The Fittses also lost the benefit of the "Save Our Homes" tax cap. See
art. VII, § 4(d)(1), Fla. Const.; § 193.155(8), Fla. Stat. (2016).
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exemption or tax credit is not entitled to the homestead exemption provided by this
section." Although it is undisputed that the Fittses did not intend that their home in Ohio
serve as their permanent residence and that during the time they owned that property
they were permanent residents of Florida receiving a homestead exemption on property
in this state, through a third-party's error they received the benefit of a permanent
residency-based tax exemption on their home in Ohio for several years. The Property
Appraiser became aware that the Fittses were receiving the benefit of tax exemptions in
both Ohio and Florida based on permanent residency following an audit and then sent
the Fittses a notice of his intent to record a tax lien on their home in Sarasota County
pursuant to section 196.161(1)(b). Prior to receiving that notice, the Fittses were
apparently unaware that they had been receiving a tax exemption in Ohio based upon
permanent residency, the credit for which totaled approximately $560 for the five-year
period at issue.2 Because the Fittses received the benefit of a tax exemption in Ohio
based on permanent residency while simultaneously receiving a homestead exemption
in Florida in violation of section 196.031(5), the Property Appraiser determined that the
Fittses were required to pay back taxes, penalties, and interest pursuant to section
196.161(1)(b).3 Relying on these statutes and the undisputed facts, both parties moved
2The Fittses have since tendered payment to the county treasurer in Ohio
for the entire sum erroneously credited to them based on the permanent residency
exemption.
3The Fittses argued before the circuit court, as they do on appeal, that the
tax exemption they received on their Ohio home was not based on permanent residency
as contemplated by Florida law and that they did not "claim" or "receive" the Ohio tax
exemption within the logical meaning of section 196.031(5). As previously stated,
however, we find no merit in these contentions and affirm these issues without
comment.
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for summary judgment. Following a hearing on the motions, the circuit court entered
final summary judgment in favor of the Property Appraiser and the Director.
Section 196.161, titled "Homestead exemptions; lien imposed on property
of person claiming exemption although not a permanent resident," provides, in part, as
follows:
(1)(a) When the estate of any person is being
probated or administered in another state under an
allegation that such person was a resident of that state and
the estate of such person contains real property situate in
this state upon which homestead exemption has been
allowed pursuant to s. 196.031 for any year or years within
10 years immediately prior to the death of the deceased,
then within 3 years after the death of such person the
property appraiser of the county where the real property is
located shall, upon knowledge of such fact, record a notice
of tax lien against the property among the public records of
that county, and the property shall be subject to the payment
of all taxes exempt thereunder, a penalty of 50 percent of the
unpaid taxes for each year, plus 15 percent interest per year,
unless the circuit court having jurisdiction over the ancillary
administration in this state determines that the decedent was
a permanent resident of this state during the year or years
an exemption was allowed, whereupon the lien shall not be
filed or, if filed, shall be canceled of record by the property
appraiser of the county where the real estate is located.
(b) In addition, upon determination by the property
appraiser that for any year or years within the prior 10 years
a person who was not entitled to a homestead exemption
was granted a homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes,
it shall be the duty of the property appraiser making such
determination to serve upon the owner a notice of intent to
record in the public records of the county a notice of tax lien
against any property owned by that person in the county,
and such property shall be identified in the notice of tax lien.
Such property which is situated in this state shall be subject
to the taxes exempted thereby, plus a penalty of 50 percent
of the unpaid taxes for each year and 15 percent interest per
annum. However, if a homestead exemption is improperly
granted as a result of a clerical mistake or an omission by
the property appraiser, the person improperly receiving the
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exemption shall not be assessed penalty and interest.
Before any such lien may be filed, the owner so notified must
be given 30 days to pay the taxes, penalties, and interest.
§ 196.161(1)(a)-(b). The Fittses argue on appeal that both the title to section 196.161
and the language of section 196.161(1) reflect the legislature's intent only to impose a
lien on a person's property in the event that the person claiming the homestead
exemption in Florida is not in fact a Florida permanent resident. Thus, the Fittses, as
permanent residents of Florida, should not be subject to the severe sanctions set forth
in section 196.161(1)(b). They further assert that it is inconsistent with the legislature's
intent and illogical to penalize the Fittses for an error made by a third party in Ohio
because the legislature has expressly stated in section 196.161(1)(b) that the penalty
and interest shall not be assessed in the event that a homestead exemption is granted
in this state through an error on the part of a Florida property appraiser. The Fittses
contend that section 196.031(5) dictates the sanction that they should face, if any at
all—the loss of the Florida homestead exemption going forward and nothing more.
We review an order granting summary judgment de novo. Heine v. Lee
County, 221 So. 3d 1254, 1256 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017). Likewise, we review the circuit
court's interpretation of a statute de novo.
Id. As the supreme court has repeatedly
held, "statutory interpretation begins with the plain meaning of the statute." Fla. Birth-
Related Neurological Injury Comp. Ass'n v. Dep't of Admin. Hearings,
29 So. 3d 992,
997 (Fla. 2010) (citing GTC, Inc. v. Edgar,
967 So. 2d 781, 785 (Fla. 2007)). We thus
begin our analysis by examining the plain language of section 196.161(1)(b), which
provides that it applies to "a person who was not entitled to a homestead exemption"
but "was granted a homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes." (Emphasis added.)
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The plain language does not limit section 196.161(1)(b)'s application to those persons
who are not permanent residents of Florida and instead applies to anyone who—for
whatever reason—is not entitled to a homestead exemption. "[W]here the language of
the statute is plain and unambiguous, there is no need for judicial interpretation." State
v. Bradford, 787 So. 2d 811, 817 (Fla. 2001) (quoting T.R. v. State,
677 So. 2d 270, 271
(Fla. 1996)). But as the Fittses contend, "we must give due weight and effect to the title
of the section" as it "is more than an index to what the section is about or has reference
to; it is a direct statement by the legislature of its intent." Aramark Uniform & Career
Apparel, Inc. v. Easton,
894 So. 2d 20, 25 (Fla. 2004) (first citing State v. Webb,
398
So. 2d 820, 825 (Fla. 1981); and then quoting
Webb, 398 So. 2d at 825); see also
Fajardo v. State,
805 So. 2d 961, 963 (Fla. 2d DCA 2001) ("We recognize that the title
of a legislative enactment, and, less frequently, the titles within codified statutes may be
helpful in construing an ambiguous statute."). However, the title of a statute is not
determinative. See Dep't of Revenue v. Val-Pak Direct Mktg. Sys., Inc., 862 So. 2d 1, 5
(Fla. 2d DCA 2003) (quoting
Bradford, 787 So. 2d at 819). We must also consider the
language of subsection (1)(a) "in order to determine whether it creates an ambiguity not
otherwise apparent on the face of" section 196.161(1)(b). See State v. Peraza,
259 So.
3d 728, 732 (Fla. 2018). "This is true because '[w]here possible, courts must give effect
to all statutory provisions and construe related statutory provisions in harmony with one
another.' "
Id. (quoting M.W. v. Davis,
756 So. 2d 90, 101 (Fla. 2000)). The title of
section 196.161 and the language of subsection (1)(a) specifically reference persons
who are or were not permanent residents of this state. So to the extent that the title of
section 196.161 and the language of section 196.161(1)(a) can reasonably be read to
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limit the applicability of subsection (1)(b) to those who are not permanent residents of
Florida making it "susceptible to more than one interpretation," it would be necessary "to
utilize principles of statutory construction to ascertain legislative intent." See State Farm
Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Shands Jacksonville Med. Ctr., Inc., 210 So. 3d 1224, 1228-29
(Fla. 2017); accord Bautista v. State,
863 So. 2d 1180, 1185 (Fla. 2003) ("If the
statutory language is unclear, we apply rules of statutory construction and explore
legislative history to determine legislative intent." (first citing Joshua v. City of
Gainesville, 768 So. 2d 432, 435 (Fla. 2000); and then citing Weber v. Dobbins,
616 So.
2d 956, 958 (Fla. 1993))).
In Bradford, the supreme court concluded that the legislature did not
intend that fraudulent intent be an element of unlawful insurance solicitation under
section 817.234(8), Florida Statutes (1997), despite the fact that the title of section
817.234 was "False and Fraudulent Insurance Claims." 787 So. 2d at 818-19. In so
holding, the supreme court cogently explained:
The arrangement and classification of laws for purposes of
codification in the Florida Statutes is an administrative
function of the Joint Legislative Management Committee of
the Florida Legislature. The classification of a law or a part
of a law in a particular title or chapter of Florida Statutes is
not determinative on the issue of legislative intent, though it
may be persuasive in certain circumstances. Where there is
a question, established principles of statutory construction
must be utilized.
Id. at 819 (quoting State v. Bussey,
463 So. 2d 1141, 1143 (Fla. 1985)). We must turn,
then, to the well-settled principle of statutory construction that "[t]he legislative use of
different terms in different portions of the same statute is strong evidence that different
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meanings were intended." Id. (quoting State v. Mark Marks, P.A.,
698 So. 2d 533, 541
(Fla. 1997)).
Section 196.161(1)(a), which addresses a tax lien imposed on real
property of an estate, expressly provides that if it is determined "that the decedent was
a permanent resident of this state during the year or years an exemption was allowed, .
. . the lien shall not be filed or, if filed, shall be canceled by the property appraiser." Had
the legislature intended the penalties set forth in section 196.161(1)(b) to apply only to
persons who are not permanent residents of Florida, it surely would have expressed
that intent as it did in subsection (1)(a). See Leisure Resorts, Inc. v. Frank J. Rooney,
Inc., 654 So. 2d 911, 914 (Fla. 1995) ("When the legislature has used a term . . . in one
section of the statute but omits it in another section of the same statute, we will not
imply it where it has been excluded."); cf. Bradford, 787 So. 2d at 819 ("[W]hile intent to
defraud is not mentioned in subsection (8), it is specifically included as an element in
subsections (1), (2), (3), (4), and (7) of section 817.234. Thus, this principle of statutory
construction lends further support to our determination that the [l]egislature intentionally
excluded fraud as an element of subsection (8). It is evident that the [l]egislature knew
how to include intent to defraud as an element, and it could have easily done so with
respect to subsection (8) if it so wished."). Similarly, the legislature expressed its intent
that "if a homestead exemption is improperly granted as a result of a clerical mistake or
an omission by the property appraiser, the person improperly receiving the exemption
shall not be assessed penalty and interest." § 196.161(1)(b). Had it likewise been the
intent of the legislature not to sanction persons improperly granted an exemption based
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on permanent residency in another state due to an error on the part of a third party in
that state, the legislature would have expressed such intent.
The legislative history of section 196.161 further supports our
determination that the application of subsection (1)(b) is not limited to persons who are
not permanent residents of Florida. Cf. Bradford, 787 So. 2d at 817-18. Section
192.215 was enacted in 1967 and was soon after renumbered to section 196.161. See
ch. 67-134, §§ 1-4, Laws of Fla.; ch. 69-55, §§ 1-2, Laws of Fla. The title of section
196.161—"Homestead exemptions; lien imposed on property of person claiming
exemption although not a permanent resident"—has remained largely unchanged since
the statute's enactment, with the exception that in 1981 the phrase "permanent resident"
replaced the phrase "bona fide resident." See ch. 81-219, § 12, Laws of Fla. That
same year, subsection (1)(b) was added and read as follows:
In addition, upon determination by the property appraiser
that for any year or years within the prior 10 years a person
who was not a permanent resident of this state was granted
a homestead exemption from ad valorem taxes, that
person's property which is situated in Florida shall be subject
to the taxes exempted thereby, plus 15 percent interest per
annum.
Id. (emphasis added). Thus, when first added, section 196.161(1)(b) was clearly
intended by its plain language to apply to someone who was not a permanent resident
of this state. Importantly, however, the statute was amended in 1986 and the phrase
"not a permanent resident of this state" was replaced with the phrase "not entitled to a
homestead exemption." See ch. 86-300, § 10, Laws of Fla. This amendment further
evinces the intent on the part of the legislature that this subsection apply to anyone who
is "not entitled to a homestead exemption"—for whatever reason—and not just persons
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who are not entitled to a homestead exemption because they are not permanent
residents of Florida. See Larimore v. State, 2 So. 3d 101, 114-15 (Fla. 2008)
(concluding that "[s]ince the [l]egislature added a section [in 1999] providing for special
procedures where immediate release is anticipated, and amended section 394.915[,
Florida Statutes,] to state that the person 'remain in custody' rather than be 'taken into
custody,' there is no longer any statutory basis on which to hold that there is no 'in
custody' requirement in the Jimmy Ryce Act" despite the fact that "the title of section
394.915 remained the same, and includes the reference to 'respondent taken into
custody' "); see also State v. Phillips,
119 So. 3d 1233, 1241 n.10 (Fla. 2013)
(discussing the statutes at issue in Larimore and noting that "[t]he failure to amend the
title of section 394.915 to conform with the [1999 amendment to the] text of that section
appears to simply be an oversight on the part of the [l]egislature").
In sum, the plain language of section 196.161(1)(b) as well as the
principles of statutory construction and the legislative history of the statute demonstrate
that the legislature did not intend to limit the application of section 196.161(1)(b) to only
those persons who are not permanent residents of Florida.
We note that very few cases expressly address section 196.161(1)(b).
However, we find Mitchell v. Higgs, 61 So. 3d 1152 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011), to be
instructive. See
Bautista, 863 So. 2d at 1185-86 (explaining that in addition to the
language, title, and history of the statute, "the state of law already in existence on the
statute" must be considered when discerning legislative intent (quoting State v.
Anderson,
764 So. 2d 848, 849 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000))). Mr. Mitchell was granted a
homestead tax exemption on his Key West home in
1996. 61 So. 3d at 1153. In 1999,
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he bought a home on Sugarloaf Key and then six years later changed his Florida
driver's license and voter's registration from the Key West address to the Sugarloaf Key
address. Id. However, on the voter registration change of address card Mr. Mitchell
listed his Key West home as the "address of homestead exempted property."
Id. at
1154. Then in 2007, Mr. Mitchell changed his driver's license and voter registration to
reflect his Key West address.
Id. A short time later and upon determining that the Key
West home was vacant, the Monroe County Property Appraiser notified Mr. Mitchell that
the homestead exemption on the Key West home had been revoked.
Id. A subsequent
notice advised Mr. Mitchell that he was not entitled to the homestead exemption on his
Key West home for the eight-year period spanning from 1999 through 2006, during
which time he owned the home on Sugarloaf Key.
Id. Mr. Mitchell filed a lawsuit
seeking a declaratory judgment that he was entitled to the homestead exemption from
1999 through 2007 and seeking "removal of the tax lien filed against him by the
appraiser under section 196.161, Florida Statutes (2006), for the unpaid property tax,
penalties, and interest (totaling approximately $28,000) over the eight years, 1999
through 2006."
Id. The circuit court granted final summary judgment in favor of Mr.
Mitchell as to the years 1999 through 2006 and revoked the recorded tax lien.
Id. As
for the 2007 tax year, the circuit court concluded following a bench trial that the property
appraiser had proven that Mr. Mitchell was not entitled to the homestead exemption on
the Key West home.
Id.
On appeal, the Third District agreed with the circuit court that because Mr.
Mitchell's permanent residence as of January 1, 2007, was on Sugarloaf Key he was
not entitled to a homestead exemption on the Key West home that year. Mitchell, 61
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So. 3d at 1154. Turning then to Mr. Mitchell's entitlement to a homestead exemption
from 1999 through 2006, the Third District stated:
Retroactive revocation of the homestead exemption (for up
to ten prior years) is the subject of an express legislative
enactment, section 196.161 . . . .
The legislature has imposed a series of requirements
for eligibility for the homestead tax exemption and a
mechanism[, section 196.161,] for recovering the tax savings
(plus interest and a penalty) realized by a property owner not
actually entitled to claim the exemption.
Id. at 1155. The Third District reiterated that "statutes involving tax exemptions are
strictly construed against the taxpayer," before concluding that section 196.161 is
constitutional and enforceable as applied to Mr. Mitchell.
Id. (quoting Haddock v
Carmody,
1 So. 3d 1133, 1137 (Fla. 1st DCA 2009)). It was undisputed that Mr.
Mitchell was a permanent resident of Florida; the only issue in dispute was which
Florida home served as his permanent residence. And despite being a permanent
resident of Florida, the Third District determined that Mr. Mitchell was subject to the
"mechanism for recovering the tax savings (plus interest and a penalty) realized by a
property owner not actually entitled to claim the exemption" found in section 196.161.
See
id. The Third District sympathized with Mr. Mitchell, expressing agreement with the
circuit court's observation that section 196.161 seems unfair because it is not
reciprocal—Mr. Mitchell is unable to receive the benefit of the homestead exemption on
the Sugarloaf Key property dating back to 1999.
Id. at 1155-56. But the Third District
also acknowledged that "[n]owhere is it written, however, that the legislature must enact
reciprocal rules as they relate to exemptions. The remedy for the lack of reciprocity lies
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with the legislature, not the courts." Id. at 1156. The Third District court then reversed
the final summary judgment that had been entered in favor of Mr. Mitchell.
Id.
While the facts of Mitchell do not mirror those in the case before us,
Mitchell nonetheless establishes that even permanent residents of Florida may be
subject to the sanctions set forth in section 196.161(1)(b) if they have claimed the
benefit of the homestead exemption in this state but were not entitled to do so.
Moreover, the legislature has not expressed its intent to punish permanent residents of
this state who are not entitled to a homestead exemption for one reason or another any
less severely than those who are not permanent residents of this state but somehow
managed to receive a homestead exemption on property in this state. Cf. § 196.075(9);
see generally Miles v. Parrish,
199 So. 3d 1046 (Fla. 4th DCA 2016); Brklacic v. Parrish,
149 So. 3d 85 (Fla. 4th DCA 2014).
To the extent that the Fittses argue that the sanction to be imposed upon
the property of Florida permanent residents who are improperly receiving a homestead
exemption on property in this state while also receiving a tax exemption in another state
based on permanent residency is merely the loss of the exemption pursuant to section
196.031(5), we cannot agree. That statute contains no reference to a sanction. Section
196.031(5) merely provides that persons receiving a tax exemption in another state
based on permanent residency are not entitled to a homestead exemption in Florida as
provided by section 196.031. While the "statute clearly prohibits an individual from
receiving two residency-based tax credits," Wells v. Haldeos, 48 So. 3d 85, 86 (Fla. 2d
DCA 2010), it in no way dictates the remedy or sanction that results when a person is
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found to be in violation of it.4 And simply because section 196.031(5) does not
reference section 196.161(1)(b) does not mean, as the Fittses contend, that the
sanctions set forth in section 196.161(1)(b) were not intended to apply to the property of
persons in violation of section 196.031(5). Based on a plain language analysis, relevant
case law, and to the extent necessary, canons of statutory construction and legislative
history, we believe the circuit court correctly determined that section 196.161(1)(b) is
applicable to the Fittses' property, though harsh as it may be. See Bystrom v. Diaz, 514
So. 2d 1072, 1074 (Fla. 1987) ("Although [the tax statutes] appear to be somewhat
harsh, their meaning is clear."); see also Reinish v. Clark, 765 So. 2d 197, 209 (Fla. 1st
DCA 2000) ("[I]nequalities that result not from hostile discrimination, but occasionally
and incidentally in the application of a [tax] system that is not arbitrary in its
classification, are not sufficient to defeat the law." (alterations in original) (quoting
Maxwell v. Bugbee, 250 U.S. 525, 543 (1919))).
We, like the circuit court, are sympathetic to the Fittses. There is a tax lien
on their Sarasota County home for back taxes, penalties, and interest due to an error on
the part of a third party in another state that apparently went undetected by the Fittses
until they received the notice from the Property Appraiser. The tax credit they received
in Ohio was negligible compared to the sanctions they now face. But the remedy for
this shortcoming "lies with the legislature, not the courts." Mitchell, 61 So. 3d at 1156;
see also State v. C.M.,
154 So. 3d 1177, 1180-81 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015) ("Until that is
effectuated by the legislature, we are bound to the letter of the law and 'must apply a
4Theparties have not cited and we have not found any other statutory
provisions which might provide the appropriate sanction or remedy in this case.
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statute as [we] find it, leaving to the legislature the correction of assorted
inconsistencies and inequalities in its operation.' " (alteration in original) (quoting Guilder
v. State, 899 So. 2d 412, 419 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005))). And thus we encourage the
legislature to amend the statutes if it does not intend the lien and penalties of section
196.161(1)(b) to apply in cases like the Fittses'.5
"Because we are bound by the law[s] as [they were] passed by the
legislature and not allowed to add language to or fill gaps in the statute[s]," C.M., 154
So. 3d at 1181, we are compelled to affirm.
5We note that the Florida Senate and the Florida House of
Representatives proposed related bills during the 2019 Regular Session that may have
addressed the situation before us. Senate Bill 856 and House Bill 1151 proposed
amendments to section 196.031(5), including renumbering the statute to include
subsections (a) and (b), with subsection (a) providing as follows:
(5)(a) A person or family unit who is receiving or claiming the
benefit of an ad valorem tax exemption or a tax credit in
another state where permanent residency is required as a
basis for the granting of that ad valorem tax exemption or tax
credit is not entitled to the homestead exemption provided by
this section, unless the person or family unit receiving the ad
valorem tax exemption or tax credit in another state
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the property appraiser
that the person or family unit did not apply for the exemption
or credit and that the person or family unit has relinquished
the exemption or credit in the other state.
Fla. CS for SB 856, § 1 (2019) (proposed amendment to FLA. STAT. § 196.031(5)); Fla.
CS for HB 1151, § 1 (2019) (proposed amendment to FLA. STAT. § 196.031(5)). Here,
it is undisputed that the Fittses did not apply for the exemption in Ohio and that they
have relinquished the exemption in that state. Thus, it is quite possible that they could
have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Property Appraiser that they did not apply
for the exemption in Ohio and that they relinquished the exemption in Ohio such that
they would not be "person[s] who [were] not entitled to a homestead exemption [but]
w[ere] granted a homestead exemption" subject to the penalties set forth in section
196.161(1)(b). Unfortunately, both bills were indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from
consideration.
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Affirmed.
VILLANTI and MORRIS, JJ., Concur.
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