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HB 2180

Consumer Protection - As introduced, requires a third-party booking site that includes information about ancillary hotel services available at a hotel to disclose that there are additional fees required to access the services and which services require payment of additional fees by the consumer if access to the services requires payment of such fees; establishes violations of the requirement as violations of the Consumer Protection Act of 1977. - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Justin Lafferty

Tennessee bill requiring third-party hotel booking sites to disclose ancillary service fees upfront, enforced as consumer protection violations.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 866
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2180

Legislative bill overview

HB 2180 requires third-party hotel booking websites (like Expedia, Booking.com, etc.) to clearly disclose when hotel ancillary services—such as parking, resort fees, Wi-Fi, or gym access—require additional payments beyond the base room rate. Violations would be treated as breaches of Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act of 1977, subjecting violators to enforcement action and potential penalties.

Why is this important

Hidden fees on hotel booking sites are a common consumer complaint; travelers often discover unexpected charges only after purchase or arrival. This bill aims to increase price transparency at the point of sale, allowing consumers to see the true total cost before committing to a reservation. Clearer disclosure could reduce disputes and help consumers make informed comparisons across booking platforms.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance burden: Third-party sites may argue that requiring real-time disclosure of ancillary fees increases operational complexity, especially when hotel fee structures vary by season, package type, or booking method.
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify which ancillary services must be disclosed (does it include everything, or only common ones?) or how prominently they must appear, creating potential enforcement uncertainty.
  • Competitive impact: Hotels themselves may resist if this requirement disadvantages their direct websites relative to third-party aggregators, or if it enables easier price comparison that reduces their booking margins.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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