Fla. Senate OKs Removing Disney Exemption From Social Media Law

Florida senators supported removing Disney’s exemption from its social media law. The Senate voted 24-15 Wednesday for SB-6 to remove the exemption for “a company that owns and operates a theme park or entertainment complex.” The Senate acted a day after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) asked legislators to remove special districts and privileges for Disney in Florida in response to the company’s opposition to HB-1557, Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law (see 2204190063). SB-6 is moving a week before a scheduled April 28 oral argument on the state’s social media law at the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr is “pleased to see that Florida may remove the theme park exception to its Big Tech legislation,” the Republican tweeted Wednesday. “The district court cited that exception in support of its decision to stay the law. It’s important that common sense laws regulating these digital networks go into effect.” Tech industry challengers say the law is unconstitutional even without the theme park exemption.