DeSantis signs Florida bill giving tourism board power over Disney World
Walt Disney Company previously attempted to escape board's authority through prior deal with Reedy Creek Improvement District
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Friday granting the state's tourism board oversight powers toward Walt Disney World.
The board, originally appointed by DeSantis, will now have the legal authority to cancel agreements made with the park, as well as those made in the last three months.
DISNEY SUES FLORIDA GOV. RON DESANTIS OVER LOSS OF SPECIAL DISTRICT
Historic Capitol and modern Capitol buildings in Tallahassee, Florida. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The bill was previously passed by Florida's legislature.
Invested with its new powers, the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District Board will be able to kibosh an agreement between Disney World and the Reedy Creek Improvement District that gave the company extensive autonomy over park grounds.
DISNEY'S 'BACK ROOM DEAL' TO STOP DESANTIS RIPPED BY LEGAL EXPERT: 'WORTHY OF SCROOGE MCDUCK'
Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. (Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida on April 26, alleging DeSantis orchestrated a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" against the company that violates Disney's free speech rights.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIS | THE WALT DISNEY CO. | 115.84 | +1.57 | +1.38% |
The lawsuit came after a board appointed by DeSantis to govern the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District — which houses the Walt Disney World resort — voted to nullify two development contracts Disney signed in February.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said it is not "pro-business" to let one company get favorable treatment from the government. (AP Photo/John Bazemore / AP Newsroom)
The Florida governor dismissed Disney's lawsuit against him, calling it politically motivated and saying it is not "pro-business" to let one company get favorable treatment from the government.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS
FOX Business' Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.