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The Florida Senate sent a proposal to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday that seeks to void a last-minute agreement that outgoing Reed Creek Improvement District supervisors signed in February, which empowered Disney to retain powers over the district despite the state-led takeover.
What You Need To Know
- The bill seeks to allow Florida to regain power over the previous Reedy Creek Improvement District
- The move comes after Disney made agreements with the outgoing board that gave the company much of the power over the district
- Disney has sued numerous state officials in federal court, and the current Central Tourism Oversight District has said it plans to sue the company in state court
The language of Senate Bill 1604 would allow the repeal of board agreements in independent special districts if one is signed within three months of a board takeover. Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, the bill’s sponsor, denied Thursday that the legislation was implemented to specifically address Disney’s agreement with the previous board.
“Not that I’m aware of,” he said on the Senate floor when asked if the measure was intended to address Florida’s feud with Disney. “I have no knowledge of that.”
The legislation, which awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature, is the latest escalation between Florida and the entertainment giant. DeSantis, meanwhile, is also considering legislation that would mandate state-led park and monorail inspections.
Disney is, in turn, suing Florida, accusing the state of political retribution and free speech violations in federal court. The company last year spoke against legislation that critics called “Don’t Say Gay.” The bill, now law, bans classroom instruction on gender ideology and sexual orientation.
“They are being retaliated against, and they can’t allow their business plan and their business model and what they have done for 50 years — that’s working— to be interfered with,” Orlando Democratic Sen. Linda Stewart told Spectrum News.
The new governor-appointed Central Florida Tourism Oversight board announced on May 1 that it plans to counter-sue Disney in state court.
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