Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Cale
Introduced:Feb 21, 2025
Primary Sponsor
Garland Barr
Representative
Republican
KY-6
Cosponsors
6
Quick Stats
Policy Area
Commerce
Summary
The Hotel Fees Transparency Act requires hotels, short-term rentals, and online booking platforms to display total prices including all service fees upfront. Providers must show the complete price (base rate plus fees) in all advertisements and throughout the booking process, with government taxes disclosed before final purchase. Enforcement is through the FTC and state attorneys general.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 60.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
The Hotel Fees Transparency Act requires hotels, short-term rentals, and online booking platforms to display total prices including all service fees upfront. Providers must show the complete price (base rate plus fees) in all advertisements and throughout the booking process, with government taxes disclosed before final purchase. Enforcement is through the FTC and state attorneys general.
Last updated: 12/30/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This 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.</p><p>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.</p><p>The bill provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general (or other authorized state officials).</p>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Requires upfront total price disclosure including all service fees
Applies to hotels, short-term rentals, and third-party booking sites
Must display total price in advertisements and marketing
Government taxes must be disclosed before final purchase
FTC and state attorneys general enforce compliance
Eliminates hidden resort fees and surprise charges at checkout
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
This bill would end the practice of "drip pricing" where hotels advertise low base rates then add resort fees, amenity charges, and other fees at checkout. Consumers would see true total costs immediately, enabling accurate comparison shopping. The hotel industry would need to revise pricing displays, but honest pricing could build consumer trust. This addresses a common consumer complaint and aligns with similar FTC initiatives against hidden fees across industries.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Commerce
Related Subjects
Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Inflation and prices
Internet, web applications, social media
Landlord and tenant
Marketing and advertising
Service industries
User charges and fees
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
1479, 119th Congress (2025). "Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1479
