U.S. House of Representative Committee considers the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays (FEES) Act
On September 27, 2023, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce convened a hearing on “Proposals to Enhance Product Safety and Transparency for Americans” where H.R.___, the No Hidden Fees on Extra Expenses for Stays (FEES) was considered. In written testimony, Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech, expressed the organization’s general support for the bill.
“The No Hidden FEES Act is an excellent first step toward setting a national standard for resort fee transparency,” said Laura Chadwick, President and CEO of Travel Tech. “The Travel Technology Association believes travelers should be able to make informed decisions without hidden surprises or unexpected expenses. We will continue to work with Congressional leaders and travel stakeholders to improve the bill.”
Travel Tech worked closely with House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce leadership on the development of the legislation to ensure uniformity and certainty for hotels, short-term rentals, online ticket agents, metasearch agents, and most of all, travelers, on what mandatory fees are included in advertised pricing for lodging.
Travel Tech supports a single, national price transparency standard. Without one, a “patchwork” of state regulations, with different regulations and potential penalties, would likely emerge. This would place a significant compliance burden on the travel technology industry.
California is likely to be the first state to adopt price transparency laws since President Biden announced his efforts to end “junk fees” in his 2023 State of the Union Address. Governor Newsom has until October 14th, 2023 to sign CA Senate Bill 478 and CA Assembly Bill 537 into law. In July 2023, Travel Tech sent a letter of opposition to the California State Assembly urging legislators to hold off on taking state action to allow the federal legislative and rulemaking processes to create a uniform standard for consumer protection and lodging price display.
Read the full comments.
The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) empowers traveler choice by advocating for public policy that promotes marketplace transparency and competition. Travel Tech represents the leading innovators in travel technology, including online travel agencies, metasearch engines, short-term rental platforms, global distribution systems, and travel management companies.
To schedule an interview with a Travel Tech spokesperson, contact Bradford Williamson of Glen Echo Group at 202.870.3234 or bwilliamson@glenechogroup.com.
