CS/CS/CS/HB 883 Summary

• Reclassifies resort condominiums and resort dwellings as "vacation rentals" and exempts them from biannual inspection requirements, though they must be made available for inspection upon request.

• Prohibits local governments from regulating, restricting, or prohibiting vacation rentals based solely on their classification, use, or occupancy, except for local laws adopted before June 1, 2011 or those relating to property valuation in areas of critical state concern.

• Expands the definition of public lodging establishment exemptions to include nonprofit organizations providing housing only to patients, patients' families, and patients' caregivers.

• Revises penalties for unlawful handbill distribution in public lodging establishments, establishing minimum fines of $2,000 for second violations and $3,000 for third or subsequent violations, with property subject to seizure and forfeiture on third offenses.

• Adds a representative from the Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association to the advisory council for the Division of Hotels and Restaurants and authorizes law enforcement to issue notices to appear for handbill distribution violations based on affidavits from the establishment owner/manager and one additional affiant.