Disney no longer a kingdom to itself

Staff Reports

Monday, February 27, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 9-B, Reedy Creek Improvement District, Orange, and Osceola Counties, to end self-governing status and special privileges provided to Walt Disney World through

the Reedy Creek Improvement District and establish a new state-controlled district accountable to the people of Florida. The bill provides legislative intent on the district’s authority to raise revenue and pay outstanding bonds and other obligations without interruption.

      “Allowing a corporation to control its own government is bad policy, especially when the corporation makes decisions that impact an entire region,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “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.”

     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.

This legislation amends the Reedy Creek Improvement District charter which: 

- ENDS Disney’s self-governing status.

- ENDS Disney’s exemption from the Florida Building Code and Florida Fire Prevention Code.

- ENDS Disney’s exemption from state regulatory reviews and approvals.

- ENDS Disney’s secrecy by ensuring transparency. 

- ENSURES that Disney will pay its fair share of taxes.

- PREVENTS leftist local governments from using the situation to raise local taxes.

- IMPOSES Florida law so that Disney is no longer given preferential treatment.

- ENSURES that Disney’s municipal debt will be paid by Disney, not Florida taxpayers.