Congress·Passed House·H.R. 1479

House Passes Hotel Fees Transparency Act to Ban Hidden Junk Fees in Lodging Prices

Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025

11 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

✓ House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

Hotels, short-term rentals like Airbnbs, and booking websites must show the full price upfront — including all mandatory service fees — the first time a price is displayed to a customer. The price can't jump up with surprise charges later in the booking process.
From policy text
“display the total services price, if a price is displayed, in any advertisement, marketing, or price list wherever the covered services are displayed, advertised, marketed, or offered for sale”
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The law targets hidden 'junk fees' such as resort fees and cleaning fees that hotels and rentals currently tack on at checkout. While mandatory fees must be included in the displayed price, optional add-ons and government taxes can still be shown separately.
The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the law, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices. State attorneys general can also sue companies that break the rules on behalf of their residents.
From policy text
“A violation of subsection (a) shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act”
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If signed into law, companies would have 450 days (about 15 months) to update their pricing displays across all ads, websites, and booking platforms before the rules take effect.
From policy text
“The prohibition under subsection (a) shall take effect 450 days after the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to advertisements, displays, marketing, and offers of covered services of a covered entity made on or after such date.”
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The bill preempts most state and local fee-disclosure laws, creating one national standard. However, it preserves state contract law, tort law, and fraud protections.
From policy text
“A State, or political subdivision of a State, may not maintain, enforce, prescribe, or continue in effect any law, rule, regulation, requirement, standard, or other provision having the force and effect of law of the State, or political subdivision of the State, that prohibits a covered entity from advertising, displaying, marketing, or otherwise offering, or otherwise affects the manner in which a covered entity may advertise, display, market, or otherwise offer, for sale in interstate commerce”
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Economy Finance

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

4 milestones13 actions

Apr 29, 2025Senate

Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 60.

Apr 28, 2025House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Apr 28, 2025House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1647-1649)

Apr 28, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1647-1649)

Apr 28, 2025House

DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1479.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Approximately 15 months after enactment

If enacted, all hotels, short-term rentals, and booking platforms must display full prices including mandatory fees

Travelers would see the real cost of a stay the first time a price appears — no more surprise fees at checkout. Companies have 450 days (about 15 months) from the signing date to comply.

Related News

3 articles

TravelPulse·about 1 year ago

Industry Pushes for National Standard on Hotel Fee Transparency

A Senate committee approved the Hotel Fees Transparency Act, a move applauded by travel tech associations. The law would create a single national standard for displaying hotel fees, ensuring consumers see the total price regardless of which state they are booking from.

Hospitality Net·11 months ago

U.S. House of Representatives passes Hotel Fees Transparency Act

The House passed the bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025, introduced by Reps. Young Kim and Kathy Castor. Industry leaders from AHLA and AAHOA celebrated the vote, stating it marks a significant step toward ensuring travelers have clear, accurate information when booking.

C+

SCCG Management·11 months ago

House Passes Bill H.R.1479 For Upfront Hotel Pricing To Curb Hidden Fees; Advances To Senate

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1479, which mandates that all short-term lodging providers clearly display the full cost of a stay upfront. The legislation aligns with FTC regulatory efforts to curb 'drip pricing' and deceptive charges in the hospitality sector.

Related Bills

1 bill

H.R. 1768Related bill

Lower Costs for Everyday Americans Act

Mar 3 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Budget, the Judiciary, and Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.