Disney monorail inspections included in transportation bill headed to DeSantis

Lawmakers gave final approval to a bill that would lead to the state Department of Transportation inspecting Walt Disney World’s monorail system, as Gov. Ron DeSantis is locked in a battle with Disney. The monorail inspections were included in a broad transportation bill (HB 1305) that is headed to DeSantis. The House on Wednesday voted 83-32 to pass the bill, which was approved Tuesday by the Senate.

The bill would require state oversight of “any governmentally or privately owned fixed-guideway transportation systems operating in this state which are located within an independent special district created by a local act which have boundaries within two contiguous counties.” That definition would apply to Disney.

Democrats argued the change is politically motivated amid a feud that started last year when Disney opposed a DeSantis-backed law that restricts instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. “I just don't think it makes sense for us to legislate in a manner that is punitive towards a private business,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando.

But Republicans pointed to safety considerations. The monorail system had a fatality in 2009, when an operator was killed in a collision between trains on the EPCOT line. “There was an incident in 2009 where a death occurred, but FDOT (the Department of Transportation) is looking at inspecting this so we know what issues do arise,” House bill sponsor Shane Abbott, R-DeFuniak Springs, said. 

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