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HB 617

CONSUMERS: Provides with respect to hidden fees charged to consumers

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tehmi Chassion and 1 co-sponsor

HB 617 requires suppliers to clearly disclose the total price, including mandatory fees, for goods or services, and notes variability for price-dependent offerings.

Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs.
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Bill Summary · HB 617

Summary of HB 617 (2026) – Louisiana: Consumers – Hidden Fees

Purpose and intent

HB 617 seeks to curtail hidden or opaque fees charged to consumers by requiring clear and conspicuous disclosure of total prices in consumer transactions. The bill defines key terms and sets standardized disclosure rules to ensure customers understand the full cost of goods and services before purchase.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions introduced

    • Goods: Any movable or immovable item that can be bought, leased, or licensed.
    • Price-variable supplier: A supplier whose final price depends on consumer choices or factors such as distance or time (e.g., online platforms for food delivery, ride-sharing).
    • Supplier: The seller, lessor, licensor, advertiser, or any party engaged in a consumer transaction (including manufacturers and distributors).

  • Mandatory disclosure of total price

    • Suppliers must clearly and conspicuously display the total price of a good or service, including any mandatory fees or surcharges.
    • If a good and a service are both provided, a supplier may show the total price for the good separately from the price for the service.

  • Auctions

    • In auction sales, suppliers must disclose any mandatory fees and include a disclaimer that the total cost may vary.

  • Restaurants and hotels

    • Pricing disclosures must clearly show the percentage or amount of any automatic or mandatory gratuity or service fee in each offer or advertisement that includes pricing information.

  • Price-variable suppliers

    • Must disclose:
    • The factors determining the final price.
    • Any mandatory fees or surcharges.
    • A statement that the total cost may vary.

  • 9 Complementary compliance with federal rules

    • Providers of certain services may rely on existing federal pricing transparency requirements to satisfy the Louisiana requirements:
    • Broadband Access: 47 CFR Part 8, Subpart A
    • Cable: 47 U.S.C. § 552
    • Direct Broadcast Satellite: 47 CFR Part 76, Subpart H
    • Live-event tickets: 16 CFR Part 464

Who is affected

  • Sellers and suppliers of goods and services in Louisiana.
  • Price-variable suppliers (e.g., platforms whose final price depends on consumer choices or distance/time).
  • Restaurants and hotels, which must disclose gratuities/service fees.
  • Broadband, cable, satellite, and live-event ticket providers can rely on applicable federal pricing transparency requirements to comply.
  • The measure applies to both single-price listings and items with bundled services.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Enactment mechanism: Adds a new provision to Louisiana Revised Statutes (R.S. 51:1429.1) establishing mandatory disclosures for unfair trade practices related to pricing.
  • Effective and compliance standards: The bill references alignment with certain federal regulations for industry-specific compliance, allowing existing federal rules to satisfy Louisiana requirements where applicable.
  • Legislative action history: Introduced in the 2026 Regular Session; referred to the Committee on Commerce for consideration.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Increases transparency in displayed pricing and reduces consumer confusion over hidden or surprise charges.
  • Could drive changes in marketing and pricing practices, particularly for online platforms and price-variable services.
  • May necessitate updates to advertising, in-store displays, menus, and digital interfaces to clearly show total price and any separate fees.
  • Federal-compliance cross-references provide a pathway for certain industries to meet state requirements without duplicative disclosures.

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

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