Homeownership Opportunity and Market Equalization Act of 2026; enact

Provisions to increase the state-wide homestead exemption dollar amount were removed.

The provision to eliminate the joint county and municipal sales tax (LOST) was removed.

A new assessment reduction schedule for tangible real property was added, starting in 2027.

Sales tax returns must now include specific location data separating collections within city limits from those in unincorporated areas.

The state department must publish annual sales tax data differentiated by municipality and county.

New taxes on high-technology data centers were added to fund a Homeowner's Tax Relief Fund.

New local homestead option sales taxes (LHOST, S-LHOST, and M-HOST) were established to fund homestead exemptions.

Added a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) to fund homestead exemptions and allow counties to impose sales taxes at rates below 1 percent.

Established a Joint Legislative Education Finance Study Committee to evaluate the Quality Basic Education formula and education funding for public schools.

Expanded the requirement for local budget referenda to include certain proposed increases in revenue collections by local governments, not just education boards.

Added provisions for a database of homestead exemption information and penalties for failing to report ineligibility.

Revised the homestead exemption limits and added a prohibition on taxing the exemption amount for the first year after a transfer of title.