A new amendment to transportation bill SB 1250 could make Disney World’s monorail system subject to state inspections.


What You Need To Know

  • Amendment could require state inspections of Disney World monorails, suspension of service during inspections

  • The amendment to SB 1250 would apply to "fixed-guideway" systems in special districts that operate "within two contigous counties"

  • This comes a week after Gov. Ron DeSantis said the legislature would introduce an amendment to make the monorails subject to state oversight

  • RELATED: Disney CEO Bob Iger calls DeSantis' actions 'anti-Florida,' announces $17B Disney World investment

The amendment, filed Monday by Republican state Sen. Nick DiCeglie, seeks to give the state authority over the resort’s transportation system.

Although the amendment doesn’t mention Disney by name, it does make reference to a system that specifically applies to Disney World.

The amendment would require the Florida Department of Transportation to establish safety standards for any public or private “fixed-guideway system” that operates “within an independent special district created by a local act which have boundaries within two contiguous counties.”

Disney World is located in a special district that spans across two bordering counties — Orange and Osceola.

The resort’s monorail system, which opened in 1971, provides transpiration to and from Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and several nearby resort hotels.

The amendment would also require the suspension of monorail service during safety inspections.

“Inspectors must follow departmental safety protocols during safety inspections, including requiring the suspension of system service to ensure safety and welfare of inspectors and the traveling public during such inspections,” the amendment read.

Lawmakers are expected to take up the amendment Tuesday during a Senate Fiscal Policy Committee meeting.

The amendment comes a week after Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference where he said the legislature introduced an amendment that would subject Disney World’s monorail system to state oversight.

The governor has been engaged in an ongoing feud with Disney since last year when the company opposed Florida’s Parental Rights in Education legislation, which critics dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.”

Earlier this year, DeSantis signed a law to give the state control of Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District — a special district that was establish in 1967 — renaming it the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. DeSantis also appointed the district’s new board members.

The board is scheduled to meet Wednesday to discuss voiding agreements Disney made with the outgoing Reedy Creek board before the state took over.

Disney CEO Bob Iger previously accused DeSantis of retaliating against the company for exercising its freedom of speech, calling the governor’s actions “anti-business” and “anti-Florida.”

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