August 9, 2024 - WASHINGTON - On Thursday, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus, announced her bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act passed the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously. This legislation will 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. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and  Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) cosponsor the legislation. The No Hidden FEES Act of 2023, companion legislation led by Representative Young Kim (R-CA), passed the House of Representatives last month. 

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

“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,” said Klobuchar. “The Senate passed my bipartisan legislation to improve transparency so that travelers can make informed decisions.” 

“The Hotel Fees Transparency Act gives customers the transparency they deserve while booking travel and planning expenses,” said 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.”

As co-chair of the Congressional Tourism Caucus, Klobuchar has long led efforts to support the travel and tourism industry. As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee and Chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, Klobuchar has been a leader in the fight to protect consumers.

In August 2019, Klobuchar and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced bipartisan legislation to protect consumers from online booking scams. The Stop Online Booking Scams Act makes it unlawful for a third party online hotel reservation seller who is not affiliated with the hotel to advertise, promote, or sell a reservation if they state or imply that they are the actual owner or operator of the hotel. It ensures that companies that fail to comply with the law are liable for unfair and deceptive acts under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act. Further, it gives state Attorneys General the authority to bring a civil action against companies who violate this provision. 

In May 2024, a number of Klobuchar-backed provisions passed the Senate and were signed into law as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act. One of these provisions is the Families Fly Together Act, Klobuchar’s bill with Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), to require airlines to allow children to sit together with their family members on flights at no additional charge. Under current law, parents who want to confirm a seat next to their children – including young infants – are often required to pay extra fees for advance seating, purchase more expensive tickets, or simply rely on the kindness of strangers. This will help keep kids safe while traveling and provide parents with much-needed peace of mind.

In April 2022, Klobuchar received the U.S. Travel Association’s 2022 Travel Champion Award. The Travel Champion Award is an annual honor presented to Members of Congress that work to boost travel to and within the United States.

In March 2022, the Restoring Brand USA Act, Klobuchar and former Senator Roy Blunt’s bipartisan legislation to provide support for Brand USA was signed into law by President Biden. Brand USA—a public-private partnership that promotes tourism to the United States—is not funded by taxpayer money, but rather through international visitors and private sector funding.  

In December 2022, Klobuchar’s bipartisan legislation with former Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), the Protecting Tourism in the United States Act, to support and promote the travel and tourism industry, was signed into law. The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Commerce, in consultation with the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and other relevant federal agencies, to study the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on different sectors of the travel and tourism industry. The bill also requires the Commerce Department to provide policy recommendations for promoting and assisting the travel and tourism industry.

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