Florida lawmakers approve bill giving DeSantis control of Disney’s Reedy Creek district

Senate Republicans in Florida have officially handed Gov. Ron DeSantis control of Reedy Creek Improvement District, Walt Disney World’s self-governing jurisdiction. Democrats say the move could lead to “major chaos.”

On Friday, Republican lawmakers voted to approve a bill designed to punish the entertainment giant over its criticism of the state’s Parental Rights in Education bill. Dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by opponents, the law forbids discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation in primary school classrooms.

HB 9B, which now heads to the Republican governor’s desk, would give DeSantis the power to appoint all five members of Reedy Creek Improvement District’s Board of Supervisors. It passed on a 26-9 vote in the Senate, a day after the House approved it on an 82-31 vote. Both chambers have Republican majorities.

The district, located within the outer limits of Orange and Osceola counties, operates as a “progressive form of government” whose purpose is “to support and administer certain aspects of the economic development and tourism within [its] boundaries,” according to its website.

Walt Disney World currently controls the board, which with the same authority as a county government. The creation of the district was instrumental in the company’s decision to build facilities around Orlando in the 1960s.

For nearly 60 years, the company has used its special government entity status to oversee land use and environmental protections in the area. The district also administers essential public services including fire protection, emergency medical services, and road maintenance.

“I think we can expect major chaos,” Sen. Geraldine Thompson said in a statement Friday afternoon after the vote. She noted that the five members of the board are not required to come from the two Central Florida counties.

Critics also note the initial idea of the takeover came after DeSantis raised the stakes in the ongoing ideological battle over the “Don’t Say Gay” debate.

“This entire move is retaliation by the governor for Disney’s vocal support for the LGBTQ community,” said Sen. Linda Stewart. “Removing a business’s independence and ability to voice concerns of their own employees is wrong.”

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Fred Hawkins, said the legislation “modernized” and “updated” an old district,” adding that the arrangement gives Disney commercial advantages over its competitors.

However, dissolving the district would be a financial burden on the county, which could lead to an increase in property tax of up to 20%, according to some estimates. According to the credit rating agency Fitch Ratings, Reedy Creek has about $1 billion in outstanding bond debt.