By Ed Sealover | The Sum & Substance
Colorado Democrats once again are seeking to ban “junk fees” that get added without option onto the advertised prices of goods and services, but their focus this year has shifted largely from hotels and ticket sellers to landlords.
Following a four-hour hearing Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 1090, which seeks to define the kinds of fees that are deceptive pricing practices and offer protection to consumers through a new private right of action. HB 1090, sponsored by Democratic Reps. Emily Sirota of Denver and Naquetta Ricks of Aurora, passed on a party-line vote and may be debated by the full House as soon as next week.
Ricks first brought the bill last year, saying she wanted to stop add-on bill charges like hotel resort fees and ticket processing fees that boost costs for an average Colorado family of four by $3,300 annually (according to Consumer Reports) over advertised prices. She ended up killing the bill late in the session when she was unable to work out crucial details with tech industry leaders and other affected parties.
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