Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) on Monday signed House Bill (HB) 9-B, which will end self-governing status and special privileges provided to Walt Disney World through the Reedy Creek Improvement District, according to a press release.
The bill also establishes a new state-controlled district accountable to the people of Florida.
The press release notes that the bill provides legislative intent on the district’s authority to raise revenue and pay outstanding bonds and other obligations without interruption.
HB 9-B “ends Disney’s self-governing status and imposes a five-member state control board that is appointed by the Governor and subject to Senate confirmation,” the release goes on to say.
“Allowing a corporation to control its own government is bad policy, especially when the corporation makes decisions that impact an entire region,” Gov. DeSantis said. “This legislation ends Disney’s self-governing status, makes Disney live under the same laws as everybody else, and ensures that Disney pays its debts and fair share of taxes.”
This legislation will end Disney’s self-governing status, exemption from the Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code, exemption from state regulatory reviews and approvals, and secrecy by ensuring transparency.
It will ensure that Disney will pay its fair share of taxes and that Disney’s municipal debt will be paid by Disney, not Florida taxpayers.
The bill prevents leftist local governments from using the situation to raise local taxes and imposes Florida law so that Disney is no longer given preferential treatment.
