SE Kansas News

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), members of the Senate Commerce Committee and co-chairs of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, introduced the bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act, which has passed the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously.

This legislation aims to improve transparency for consumers by requiring anyone advertising a hotel room or short-term rental to clearly show upfront the final price a customer will pay to book lodging. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) cosponsored the legislation. The No Hidden FEES Act of 2023, companion legislation led by Representative Young Kim (CA-40), passed the House of Representatives last month.

“The Hotel Fees Transparency Act gives customers the transparency they deserve while booking travel and planning expenses,” said Sen. Moran. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with Sen. Klobuchar on this legislation and its clearance through the Commerce Committee and encourage Sen. Schumer to quickly consider this bill so that individuals across the nation can make informed travel decisions.”

“Too often, Americans making reservations online are being met with hidden fees that make it difficult to compare prices and understand the true cost of an overnight stay,” stated Sen. Klobuchar. “The Senate passed my bipartisan legislation to improve transparency so that travelers can make informed decisions.”

The Hotel Fees Transparency Act is supported by Consumer Reports, the Travel Tech Association, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association.