Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025
Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 – Summary **What It Does:** This bill would require hotels, vacation rentals, and online booking platforms to be upfront about the true total cost of a room before customers complete their purchase. Currently, companies often advertise a low base price but add resort fees, cleaning charges, and other costs later in the booking process. Under this bill, all fees and taxes must be clearly displayed from the moment a price is shown in ads or search results, and again at every step of the booking process until final purchase. **Who It Affects:** The bill targets short-term lodging providers (hotels, Airbnb-style rentals, and booking websites like Expedia) and the consumers who book them.
It would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general, giving them power to take action against companies that don't comply. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee (S. 314), sponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), meaning it hasn't yet been voted on by the full Senate. It remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
CRS Official Summary
Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025This bill requires providers of short-term lodging (e.g., hotels, short-term rentals, and third-party online sellers) to include certain price information when displaying, advertising, or marketing reservations for lodging.Specifically, such providers must (1) display the total services price, including the base price and any service fees, if a price is displayed in an advertisement. marketing material, or a price list; (2) disclose the total services price at the time the services are first displayed to an individual seeking to purchase such services and anytime thereafter during the purchasing process; and (3) disclose, prior to the final purchase, any tax, fee, or assessment imposed by any government entity (or quasi-government entity) on the sale of such services.The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general (or other authorized state officials).
Latest Action
Star Print ordered on the reported bill.