Florida - Monday February 27, 2023: Governor DeSantis Monday signed House Bill (HB) 9-B, ending Disney's self-governing status and the special privileges provided to Walt Disney World.
The state is now in control of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which is the governing jurisdiction and special taxing district covering the land on which the Walt Disney World Resort was built.
The legislation establishes a new state-controlled district. The new district will continue to have the authority to raise revenue and pay outstanding bonds and other obligations without interruption. The name of the new district has not yet been finalized.
“Allowing a corporation to control its own government is bad policy, especially when the corporation makes decisions that impact an entire region,” said the Governor during a news conference Monday morning in Lake Buena Vista. “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 creates 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.