Florida Republicans pass a bill to end Disney’s self-governing status, sending it to Gov. Ron DeSantis for a signature

• Florida lawmakers voted to strip Disney of its self-governing status.
• The bill now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature.
• The vote marks the latest development in the feud between state Republicans and Disney.

Florida lawmakers voted to strip Walt Disney World of its ability to basically self-govern its properties, marking the latest development in the war between state Republicans and the company over legislation known by critics as “Don’t Say Gay.”

The legislation now awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature terminates a special taxing and governance district created by the state legislature in 1967 to act as a county government for Disney, handling services such as power, water, roads, and fire protection. The District could even build a nuclear power plant if it wanted. The Reedy Creek Improvement District’s landowners, primarily Walt Disney World, have been responsible for the cost.

The legislation would sunset Reedy Creek by June 2023, unless the legislature reauthorizes it. 

Disney has long had privileges in the state that no other company has in Florida, including its competitors, said Republican state Rep. Randy Fine, a leader in the legislative effort. And some provisions in the District charter are “nuts,” such as the right to create its own nuclear power plant or to take land outside of their district. . 

The legislation passed without debate because of a protest Democrats staged on the House floor over a separate issue, the passage of a congressional redistricting map.

Disney will need to decide over the next year if they want to reconstitute Reedy Creek, working with members of the state legislature, Fine said. He said he’s open to that discussion, but with limitations.

“They’re not gonna get the right to build a nuclear power plant,” Fine said after the vote. “They’re not going to have the right to take, you know, people’s property without their consent. 

“Look, we treat all guests to our state with respect, you know, assuming they share the same back,” he said.

A Disney spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on bill’s passage.

DeSantis, a potential Republican presidential contender, called for passage of legislation this week during a feud with Disney over the company’s opposition to the “Parental Rights in Education” legislation, which DeSantis signed on March 28.

Opponents of the law call it “Don’t Say Gay” because it bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-3 “or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate.” Parents could sue school districts for violating the bill.

Disney CEO Bob Chapek announced in March that the company would halt donations to political campaigns in the state over legislation and donate $5 million to LGBTQ groups. DeSantis has attacked Disney as a “woke” corporation for opposing the legislation.