There are four constitutional amendments on the ballot: amendments 1,2,3,5. Amendment 4 was on the ballot during the primary election and it passed allowing property tax exemptions for solar.
Amendment 1
Ballot Title: Rights of Electricity Consumers Regarding Solar Energy Choice
Ballot Summary: This amendment establishes a right under Florida’s constitution for consumers to own or lease solar equipment installed on their property to generate electricity for their own use. State and local governments shall retain their abilities to protect consumer rights and public health, safety and welfare, and to ensure that consumers who do not choose to install solar are not required to subsidize the costs of backup power and electric grid access to those who do.
Analysis: Amendment 1 says that it protects your right to have equipment that produces solar energy for personal use. This amendment is supported by power companies and opposed by advocates of solar energy, the reason for this is that although this amendment sells itself as pro-solar the actual change created by this amendment would be to allow the power companies to not purchase solar power generated by individuals. This would make solar panels less viable, since currently you can use them to generate power and sell that back to the power company to offset the cost of your usage.
Amendment 2
Ballot Title: Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions
Ballot Summary: Allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not immunize violations of federal law or any non-medical use, possession or production of marijuana.
Analysis: Amendment 2 would allow marijuana to be prescribed by a licensed physician. The supporters and opponents of this amendment are about what you would expect.
Amendment 3
Ballot Title: Tax Exemption For Totally And Permanently Disabled First Responders
Ballot Summary: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to authorize a first responder, who is totally and permanently disabled as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty, to receive relief from ad valorem taxes assessed on homestead property, if authorized by general law. If approved by voters, the amendment takes effect January 1, 2017.
Analysis: Amendment 3 would provide relief from ad valorem property taxes for totally and permanently disabled first responders. Ad valorem property taxes are used to pay for roads, schools, police, and firefighters. Since every property uses these services, the price for the exempted people would be borne by the remaining taxpayers.
Amendment 5
Ballot Title: Homestead Tax Exemption For Certain Senior, Low-Income, Long-Term Residents; Determination Of Just Value
Ballot Summary: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to revise the homestead tax exemption that may be granted by counties or municipalities for property with just value less than $250,000 owned by certain senior, low-income, long-term residents to specify that just value is determined in the first tax year the owner applies and is eligible for the exemption. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2017, and applies retroactively to exemptions granted before January 1, 2017.
Analysis: Amendment 5 would provide some relief from ad valorem property taxes for low income, long term senior residents. Ad valorem property taxes are used to pay for roads, schools, police, and firefighters. Since every property uses these services, the price for the exempted people would be borne by the remaining taxpayers.