Florida Passes Law Removing Disney's Special Status In Retaliation For His Criticism Of Controversial 'Don't Say Gay' Law

By Rebecca

The Florida House of Representatives approved a law on Thursday, already endorsed by the state Senate, to eliminate the special status that allows the Walt Disney company to autonomously manage its theme park in Orlando.

The measure was sent to the governor, Ron DeSantis, who will sign it in the next few hours.

The Republican politician was precisely the one who promoted the measure to dismantle the Disney special district as of June 1, 2023. This condition, created by a 1967 state law, allows the company to manage the collection of taxes and the provision of services of police and emergency in its theme park.

Walt Disney World Resort celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 3 in Orlando.Getty images

Disney controls some 25,000 acres in Orlando, and can build new structures and pay fees without the approval of a local planning commission.

The elimination of this special status was promoted by DeSantis after criticism from Disney officials of the state law that prevents talking about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools until the third grade.

DeSantis had suggested in recent weeks that he wanted to remove Disney's protections, saying he doesn't "support special privileges in the law just because a company is powerful."

Ron DeSantis calls for removing special government status from Disney parks in Florida

April 20, 202200:31

The Florida House of Representatives also passed a Senate-signed bill on Thursday that removes Disney's exemption from a 2021 law against alleged censorship of tech companies.