CS/HB 63 Summary: Tourist Safety Act of 2011

• Increases penalties for unlawfully distributing handbills in public lodging establishments, including minimum fines of $500 for first offense, $2,000 for second offense, and $3,000 for third or subsequent offenses.

• Authorizes law enforcement to issue notices to appear without a warrant for handbill distribution violations when the owner/manager and one additional affiant sign an affidavit supporting probable cause.

• Makes property used in committing third or subsequent handbill distribution violations subject to seizure and forfeiture under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.

• Consolidates vacation rental classifications by reclassifying "resort condominiums" and "resort dwellings" as "vacation rentals" and prohibits local governments from regulating or restricting vacation rentals based solely on their classification, use, or occupancy (except for pre-June 1, 2011 ordinances).

• Requires the Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association to designate a representative to the Division of Hotels and Restaurants advisory council and excludes nonprofit organizations providing housing for patients and caregivers from the definition of "public lodging establishment."