Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek May Get New Name & State Appointees from Governor Ron DeSantis
TALLAHASSEE – Walt Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District, a special created by the state of Florida 55 years ago, may be renamed the Florida Tourism Oversight District and undergo an overhaul of its board appointment structure, if a new state bill is signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.
According to the bill, HB-9, filed by Florida State Representative Fred Hawkins, outstanding debt contracts and tax collection would not be affected, meaning that Orange and Osceola counties would not be responsible for Reedy Creek’s $1 billion debt. Other notable reforms proposed in the bill include the barring of an appointment of any person who has worked for or had a contractual relationship with a theme park within the past three years would be prohibited from serving on the new board, including rival theme parks such as Universal Studios, Sea World and Busch Gardens.
HB-9 stipulates that all five board members be appointed by the state’s sitting governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate. Initially, three members would be appointed to serve four years, and two of them to serve two years. Under current Florida law, Reedy Creek district’s landowners elect the board members. According to an Orlando Sentinel report, due to the fact that Disney owns almost all of the land in the district, Disney can handpick the board members for Reedy Creek.
According to a recent report by Bloomberg, Reedy Creek currently holds around $1 billion in debt, presenting concerns among lawmakers and residents of nearby Orange and Osceola counties surrounding the unanswered question of where the district’s debts might flow to.
HB-9 was introduced during a special session called by Governor Ron DeSantis and is currently in the State Affairs Committee, where it is expected to pass with strong support from Republican legislators on the committee.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE HAWKINS‘ BACKGROUND
Florida state representative Fred Hawkins is a Republican representing Florida State House District 35, which encompasses parts of Orange County and Osceola County. Hawkins was born in Ohio and lives in St. Cloud, Florida. Hawkins earned a B.S. in political science from the University of Akron.His career experience includes working as the president and CEO of the Osceola County Education Foundation.
Hawkins‘ service on house committees includes seats on Collective Bargaining Committee and the Education & Employment Committee.
