SE Kansas News

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has given unanimous approval to the Hotel Fees Transparency Act. This bipartisan legislation was introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), who co-chair the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus. The act aims to reduce costs and improve transparency by mandating that all hotel room or short-term rental advertisements clearly display the final price a customer will pay, inclusive of any additional fees.

Senator Moran emphasized the impact of hidden fees on consumers: "High prices are forcing Kansans to account for all their expenses, and many cannot afford to pay hidden fees at hotels or short-term lodging," he said. "This commonsense legislation requires hotels to be straightforward about all their fees so consumers aren’t burdened with unexpected costs on their check."

Senator Klobuchar highlighted the difficulties faced by travelers due to these undisclosed charges: "Traveling is expensive, and hidden fees make it difficult to compare prices and understand the true cost of a reservation," she stated. "Our bipartisan bill will lower costs for hotel rooms and short-term rentals by increasing transparency and banning hidden fees."

The Hotel Fees Transparency Act is supported by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.). It has also received endorsements from several organizations, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Consumer Reports, the National Consumers League, and the Travel Technology Association.