FLORIDA — State lawmakers have the 189-page bill that would change the look of Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District in hand and it’s a key focal point of the Special Session that kicked off on Monday. The proposal aims to change who runs the special district, how it operates, and its name.

Gov. Ron DeSantis’s office said this legislation would eliminate Disney’s self-governing status, prevent Disney from gaining more land by eminent domain, impose Florida law so Disney is no longer given preferential treatment, and would create an avenue to compel Disney to contribute to local infrastructure among other changes.

If the bill is passed, it will mark the end of a 55-year-old agreement between the state and the company. 

The decision to dissolve the special district came after Disney’s stance against the “Parental Rights in Education Act” — called the “Don’t Say Gay” law by detractors — last year.

The bill also vows to shield Orange and Osceola counties from taking on the district’s $1 billion debt.

Democratic State Sen. for District 15 Geraldine Thompson, who represents part of Orange County, explained she is concerned that the proposed name change to the “Central Florida Tourism Oversight District” is too vague and open.

“Central Florida is the site of all kinds of tourism, so does that mean now that we are going to be in the business of oversight of all tourist-related entities or just Reedy Creek?” Thompson said.

Republican State Rep. Paula Stark, who represents parts of Orange and Osceola counties, isn’t really worried about that change.

“I’m not really sure it makes too much difference what it is called as long as it is appropriately identified,” said the District 47 representative.

One thing both lawmakers agree on is term limits. The bill would prevent any state-approved board member from serving more than three consecutive terms.

“I think that makes sure that you have people that are there for the right reasons doing the right things and they don’t get too caught up in the politico of it,” Stark said.

Thompson wants to make sure the right people are in place.

“You need different ideas, fresh approaches at the same time you need institutional knowledge and I think that those things have to be balanced,” she said.

While the Republican lawmaker thinks Reedy Creek was needed initially, she believes it is time for a change.

“I think that when it was done, originally, it was an appropriate move for the powers to be at the time to make that kind of incentive so that Disney would come to Central Florida and be the power that it has become in our community,” said Stark.

Thompson thinks if the state is going to put a sunset on this special district, they need to look at the other special districts across the state.

“If we are going to get in the business of saying we need to go back and revisit, we need to have a sunset, then I think we need to have a sunset for all of them,” the democratic lawmaker said.

As for who’s eligible to serve on the board under this proposal, there are some new guidelines, like preventing anyone who has worked for or with a company that owns or operates a theme park or entertainment complex.

The special session will run through Friday. Lawmakers will tackle several other issues, including emergency response to hurricane victims, election laws, immigration, and college athletes cashing in on their fame.

The regular 2023 Legislative Session starts in March.