South OC Times

The House of Representatives has passed the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays (No Hidden FEES) Act of 2023 (H.R. 6543), aimed at improving cost transparency for short-term lodging, including hotels, motels, and inns. The bill, led by U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Kathy Castor (FL-14), seeks to prohibit misleading price advertising and mandates accurate price listings that encompass all mandatory and resort fees.

"Deceiving fees add up and create more pain for families already struggling to make ends meet due to persistent inflation and rising living costs. The last thing Americans need when budgeting for a trip are costly, unexpected fees," said Rep. Young Kim. "The No Hidden FEES Act helps provide cost transparency so consumers can accurately budget and know how much they are paying for lodging upfront. I will keep fighting to make life more affordable for families in Southern California and across the nation."

"It is not fair to be tricked into paying more for a hotel due to surprise 'junk fees.' Hidden junk fees drive up costs for Americans, frustrate consumers, and stifle competition. Fraudsters add junk fees to hotel room bookings to trick consumers into paying more, make it impossible to comparison shop, and take a bite out of the family vacation budget," stated Rep. Kathy Castor. "The No Hidden FEES Act will require platforms to display all fees during every step of the reservation process, improve transparency, and ensure travelers can make fully informed decisions."

"Price transparency is crucial for a competitive market, and travelers deserve to know the true price of their lodging upfront. I applaud Reps. Kim and Castor for their bipartisan legislation to create clear rules of the road and ensure people can make informed decisions about their travel plans," said Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers.