Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · S 314
REPORTED· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 314Inflation and pricesCivil actions and liability
Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 29· LAST ACTION MAY 14
READING
11MIN
COSPONSORS
3BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Reported, not passed
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 3 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill addresses a widespread frustration among consumers: the practice of 'drip pricing' for lodging, where mandatory fees are added late in the booking process, making the initial advertised price misleading. Currently, a hotel might advertise a $100 room, but after adding a mandatory 'resort fee' and 'service charge,' the actual cost per night could jump to $130 or more, not including government taxes.
If this bill becomes law, travelers will know the full, mandatory price from the very beginning of their search, making it much easier to budget and compare different lodging options accurately. This promotes fair competition among lodging providers, as they would all be required to present their true prices upfront. If it doesn't become law, the current practice of hiding mandatory fees would likely continue, leaving consumers susceptible to unexpected costs and making price comparison difficult and often deceptive.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires hotels and short-term rental providers to display the total services price, including all mandatory fees from the provider, in any advertisement or price list.
This ensures consumers see the full, mandatory cost of a room upfront, eliminating hidden fees from the hotel or rental provider.
PROVISION 02
Mandates that government-imposed taxes and fees be disclosed to the individual prior to the final purchase, but they do not have to be included in the initial 'total services price' display.
While allowing government taxes to be separate, it still requires their disclosure before a commitment to purchase, ensuring transparency before the final transaction.
PROVISION 03
Grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to enforce these new transparency rules as violations of unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
This gives a powerful federal agency the ability to fine or penalize companies that do not comply with the new pricing requirements.
PROVISION 04
Allows state attorneys general to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents if they believe a company has violated the new pricing transparency rules.
This provides an additional layer of enforcement, empowering states to protect their citizens from deceptive lodging pricing.
PROVISION 05
Establishes an affirmative defense for intermediary or third-party online sellers (like booking websites) if they relied in good faith on inaccurate information provided by a hotel.
This provision acknowledges the challenge for online platforms to maintain perfectly up-to-date pricing from all providers and offers them protection if they made good faith efforts.
This bill addresses a widespread frustration among consumers: the practice of 'drip pricing' for lodging, where mandatory fees are added late in the booking process, making the initial advertised price misleading. Currently, a hotel might advertise a $100 room, but after adding a mandatory 'resort fee' and 'service charge,' the actual cost per night could jump to $130 or more, not including government taxes.
If this bill becomes law, travelers will know the full, mandatory price from the very beginning of their search, making it much easier to budget and compare different lodging options accurately. This promotes fair competition among lodging providers, as they would all be required to present their true prices upfront. If it doesn't become law, the current practice of hiding mandatory fees would likely continue, leaving consumers susceptible to unexpected costs and making price comparison difficult and often deceptive.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires hotels and short-term rental providers to display the total services price, including all mandatory fees from the provider, in any advertisement or price list.
This ensures consumers see the full, mandatory cost of a room upfront, eliminating hidden fees from the hotel or rental provider.
med
Mandates that government-imposed taxes and fees be disclosed to the individual prior to the final purchase, but they do not have to be included in the initial 'total services price' display.
While allowing government taxes to be separate, it still requires their disclosure before a commitment to purchase, ensuring transparency before the final transaction.
high
Grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to enforce these new transparency rules as violations of unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
This gives a powerful federal agency the ability to fine or penalize companies that do not comply with the new pricing requirements.
med
Allows state attorneys general to bring civil actions on behalf of their residents if they believe a company has violated the new pricing transparency rules.
This provides an additional layer of enforcement, empowering states to protect their citizens from deceptive lodging pricing.
med
Establishes an affirmative defense for intermediary or third-party online sellers (like booking websites) if they relied in good faith on inaccurate information provided by a hotel.
This provision acknowledges the challenge for online platforms to maintain perfectly up-to-date pricing from all providers and offers them protection if they made good faith efforts.
Determined under the Federal Trade Commission Act, potentially including fines, injunctions, and consumer redress.
Covered entities (hotels, short-term rentals, third-party booking sites) that violate the advertising prohibition.
civil
Appropriate relief as determined by a district court.
Covered entities (hotels, short-term rentals, third-party booking sites) found liable in actions brought by state attorneys general.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Covered entity
Any business that displays, advertises, markets, or offers prices for hotel rooms or other places of short-term lodging, including direct offerings and third-party booking sites.
Interstate commerce
Commercial activity, trade, or business transactions that occur between different states or significantly impact more than one state.
Metasearch referrals
When a search engine or website gathers information from multiple other search engines or online travel agencies to display aggregated results for things like hotel prices.
Total services price
The full price of lodging that includes the base rate and all mandatory fees imposed by the lodging provider (e.g., resort fees, cleaning fees), but does not initially include government-imposed taxes or assessments.
Federal Trade Commission Act
A federal law that established the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and prohibits unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce.
Parens patriae
A legal term meaning the state acts as the protector of its citizens, especially those unable to protect themselves. In this context, it allows state attorneys general to sue on behalf of their residents.
ACTION TIMELINE
6 EVENTS
MAY 14, 25
Star Print ordered on the reported bill.
FLOOR
APR 28, 25
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment. With written report No. 119-15.
COMMITTEE
APR 28, 25
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 49.
CALENDARS
FEB 5, 25
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
A legal argument or evidence offered by a defendant in a lawsuit that, if proven, defeats or mitigates the legal consequences of the plaintiff's claim, even if the plaintiff's claim is true. In this bill, it applies to third-party sellers who relied in good faith on inaccurate information.
