Last month, the Florida Legislature held a special session February 6th – 10th to consider four topics, three local bills, and a joint resolution. Two additional bills were not considered. The ones that passed and were signed by the Governor appropriated $650 million in emergency funding for hurricane relief and created a $50 million loan program for local governments impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole last year; gave the Office of Statewide Prosecution concurrent jurisdiction with state attorneys to prosecute election-related crimes; created the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program within the Florida Division of Emergency Management to facilitate the transport of inspected unauthorized aliens within the United States; created intercollegiate athlete compensation and rights in Florida; and shifted control of the Reedy Creek Board of Supervisors away from the Walt Disney Company.
The Reedy Creek Improvement District, which in 1967 gave Disney control over land use, fire protection and sewer services, will now be known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District and its board members will be appointed by the Governor.