TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers will meet Monday to complete a state takeover of Walt Disney World's self-governing district and expand a migrant relocation program, key conservative priorities of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of his expected White House run.
There is a lot ABC Action News will be monitoring for you as lawmakers prepare to tackle a full list of issues.
RELATED: Florida lawmakers may return to Tallahassee next week for Disney special session
Governor Ron Desantis is using the special session to broaden an immigration program he used to fly asylum seekers to Marthas Vineyard.
Lawmakers will consider a proposal to create a state department focused on migrant relocations, a move that comes after the governor flew a group of South American migrants from Texas to Massachusetts in protest of federal border policy.
Lawmakers are expected to create a program to transport immigrants who are in the country illegally to another state if they've already been processed by the federal government and if the migrants volunteer.
Also on the agenda is the governing status of Disney's special district, The Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The district allows the company to run the land around Disney World like a county government. That will likely change after this special session. Some lawmakers and Governor Ron Desantis want to establish a state board for the district.
This has been a year-long fight stemming from Disney's criticism of the governor's Parental Rights in Education Law. Republican lawmakers say this move is about public accountability.
The session continues a focus by DeSantis focus on social issues, including sexual orientation, gender and immigration, as the Republican governor exploits national political fissures on his path to a potential 2024 presidential run.
The meeting is the latest development in a high-profile feud between DeSantis and Disney over the company's criticism of a law dubbed by critics as "Don't Say Gay," which bars instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and lessons deemed not age appropriate.
The governor, in going after Disney, displayed a willingness to penalize one of the state's biggest employers and political donors, reinforcing the combative leadership style that has propelled him to national political stardom and appeals to conservative primary voters.
Another proposal to be taken up during the session would make it clear the statewide prosecutor has authority to prosecute election fraud in federal and state races.
DeSantis, with statehouse backing, created an election police unit last year to investigate fraud and other crimes to satisfy what has become an important issue to conservative voters following the 2020 election. Some charges resulting from investigations by the election police force have been dropped because of jurisdiction issues.
Republican Representative Rany Fine said, “We’ve been in a culture war in this country for 50 years. The only difference is, in Florida, Republicans have decided to pick up a weapon and fight back.”
The squabble between DeSantis and Disney began last year, when the entertainment giant publicly opposed the "Don't Say Gay" education legislation and said it would pause political donations in the state and support organizations working to oppose the law.
DeSantis and other Republicans moved quickly to criticize the company, calling it a purveyor of "woke" ideologies that are inappropriate for children.
At DeSantis' request, the GOP-dominated statehouse in April approved legislation to eliminate Disney's Reedy Creek government by June 2023, beginning a closely watched process that would determine the structure of government that controls the company's sprawling property.
The creation of the Reedy Creek district was instrumental in Disney's decision to build near Orlando in the 1960s. Having a separate government allows the company to provide zoning, fire protection, utilities and infrastructure services on its land.
The special session will also adjust language in current laws addressing endorsement deals for college athletes.
Florida was one of the first states to pass a law allowing college athletes to profit off their name, image or likeness, but it doesn't allow people affiliated with universities to help secure endorsement deals. The proposal would lift that provision to make Florida more competitive with other states that don't have the restriction.
Lawmakers will also consider a bill to provide more relief money for Hurricane Ian and Nicole recovery efforts.
The special session is taking place one month before the regular annual session. Some Democrats worry the GOP majority is rushing.
Democrat Representative Fentrice Driskell said, “It's almost rising to the point of an abusive process, using special sessions in this way. I mean, it's really not how the legislative process is supposed to work.”
The house will convene Monday at 1 p.m., with the Senate starting at 2 p.m. ABC Action News will bring you the latest that comes out of the state capital.
