Tourism District Protection Act

This bill allows state and local governments to use criminal justice and law enforcement grant program funds to address crime in tourist areas.

Specifically, the bill

• creates a preference for grants under the Community Oriented Policing Services program for applicants from states that will use grants to address increased crime in tourist areas,
• allows grants under the Emergency Federal Law Enforcement Assistance Program to support state and local efforts to respond to a significant increase in crime in tourist areas, and
• requires (currently, permits) up to 5% of funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program to be awarded for certain specified purposes and includes as an eligible purpose addressing significant increases in crime in tourist areas.