RICHMOND, Va. – On Monday night, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued amendments to legislation banning hidden fees that would create new loopholes for food delivery companies to continue price gouging consumers, exempt gyms entirely, and delay enactment of any hidden fee legislation until at least 2026. SB1212, patroned by Senator Stella Pekarsky (D-Fairfax) and HB2515, patroned by Delegate Adele McClure (D-Arlington), each passed the General Assembly with bipartisan support.
The legislation passed in the General Assembly would 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. Banning hidden fees in consumer transactions would save the average family $3,200 annually. The legislation has bipartisan support from 77% of voters — including 81% of Democrats, 78% of Independents, and 72% of Republicans.
“Virginians cannot wait another year for relief from unfair fees, and the governor’s amendments to my hidden ‘junk’ fees legislation would leave hardworking families and Virginia small businesses stranded,” said Senator Pekarsky. “The bill, as passed by the General Assembly in a bipartisan fashion, would guarantee truth in pricing for consumers, and it would level the playing field for small businesses already advertising the total cost of a good or service upfront. As a result, the competitive market would operate as intended and save Virginians their hard earned money. Instead, Governor Youngkin has sent back amendments, all but surrendering to big corporations and their predatory price-gouging tactics for yet another year. I will fight to maintain the integrity of this crucial legislation and ensure small businesses and consumers are properly represented in the final language.”
“Governor Youngkin’s amendments to my hidden fees bill are short-sighted and out-of-touch. While the Governor is fortunate enough not to have to worry about hidden fees, his proposed amendments will hurt hardworking Virginia consumers,” said Delegate McClure. “This popular, bipartisan consumer protection bill, as passed by the General Assembly, would ensure that Virginians are not duped by corporations sneaking in hidden fees at checkout. Instead, the Governor’s anti-transparency amendments defeat the very purpose of the bill while allowing some of the worst perpetrators, including big corporations, to continue undercutting honest businesses and then pocket Virginians’ hard-earned money through the deceptive practice of charging hidden fees. I will continue to stand with Virginia’s consumers and ensure this bill works for them.”
“Governor Youngkin made a choice to protect big corporations’ profits over Virginians’ hard-earned money,” said Freedom Virginia co-Executive Director Rhena Hicks. “Banning hidden fees is a bipartisan, common-sense consumer protection measure, and this legislation, as passed by the General Assembly, would ensure Virginians could keep more of what they earn. The governor’s decision shows where his priorities lie: with big corporations, not Virginians who need economic relief now. We will fight for hardworking families to be represented properly in the hidden fees legislation and ensure cost-saving benefits are delivered at a time when they need it most.”
