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RICHMOND, Va. — On Friday, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed legislation to ban hidden ‘junk’ fees on consumer transactions into law. SB1212, patroned by Senator Stella Pekarsky (D-Fairfax), and HB2515, patroned by Delegate Adele McClure (D-Arlington), are companion bills that passed both chambers of the General Assembly with bipartisan support.
The law will now help Virginians keep more of what they earn by requiring all mandatory fees on a purchase to be disclosed upfront, ensuring consumers know the total cost of a good or service before checking out and promoting truth in pricing, saving families $3,200 annually.
“I’m excited that Governor Youngkin signed this legislation, and I’m incredibly proud to say we’ve banned hidden fees in Virginia,” said Senator Pekarsky. “Thankfully, even after the General Assembly rejected his amendments to weaken the bill, the governor recognized the importance of transparent business practices for Virginia consumers and signed these bills. As I’ve said over the past two years fighting for this legislation, it will not only help families, but it will ensure small businesses are on a level playing field with large corporations. I’m thankful also to Delegate McClure for her work on this legislation, and I know this will be a win for Virginia.”
“Virginia families deserve transparency and fairness at the checkout, and this new law delivers just that,” said Delegate McClure. “I’m thrilled that consumers will finally see truth in pricing. Banning hidden ‘junk’ fees will provide real cost savings starting this summer, protecting Virginians from deceptive business practices and holding large corporations accountable. Senator Pekarsky and I fought hard to ensure families can keep more of what they earn, and I look forward to these protections becoming a reality.”
“This legislation is a massive win for affordability in Virginia, and we are glad Governor Youngkin chose Virginians by signing this legislation,” said Freedom Virginia co-Executive Director Rhena Hicks. “Hidden fees exist across all parts of the economy, forcing families to spend extra when paying their bills, traveling, or buying an event ticket. At a time when costs are skyrocketing, hardworking Virginians should get to keep more, not less, of their hard-earned money. We’re thankful to Senator Pekarsky and Delegate McClure for leading the fight to ban hidden fees, as well as legislators from both parties who supported this legislation, and we cannot wait for Virginia families to see necessary economic relief.”
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