Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Fiedler, Pisciottano ‘Pay The Price You See’ bill to eliminate deceptive ‘junk fees’ passes House with bipartisan support

Fiedler, Pisciottano ‘Pay The Price You See’ bill to eliminate deceptive ‘junk fees’ passes House with bipartisan support

Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus    June 23, 2025 | 4:35 PM

HARRISBURG, June 23 – Today, legislation that would require platforms for event tickets, lodging, and food delivery to list the full, final price of their products upfront, passed the House. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Phila, with a companion bill introduced by state Sen. Nick Pisciottano, D-Allegheny.

Junk fees are the unexpected, mandatory fees added to the price of a good or service at checkout, often associated with online purchases for items like concert tickets. These fees can add up to 30% more to the original price, and they cost the average American family more than $3,000 per year.

“Pennsylvanians are trying to make plans with their budgets in mind, but these hidden fees prevent people from making informed decisions,” said Fiedler. “It's more than frustrating to be scouring for hours to plan your family vacation only to get to the checkout page to see the price skyrocket. Whether it's a special occasion like a concert or a trip, we all deserve better treatment from these corporations.”

House Bill 1216 would protect Pennsylvania consumers against “bait and switch” pricing practices, while allowing small businesses to compete with the artificially lowered prices used by dominant, national corporations.

In 2023, the legislation was previously authored by then-Rep. Pisciottano and passed the House with significant bipartisan support. It was also supported by stakeholders including Live Nation, the Federal Consumer Protection Bureau, and the Federal Trade Commission.

“I’m thrilled that this critical consumer protection has been passed by my colleagues in the House,” Pisciottano said, “As prices continue to rise, it’s vital for consumers to have clear and accurate information about the price they will pay. Hidden and junk fees at the backend of transactions are hurting families and this is a reasonable consumer protection that creates needed price transparency. I was proud to author this bill as a state representative and I look forward to tackling this issue in the Senate in the coming weeks.”

On the federal level, the FTC enacted a similar rule around fee transparency in 2024. The FTC has since been supportive of state efforts to enact stronger bans on junk fees, including existing laws in California and Minnesota.