Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that prohibits businesses from applying hidden fees and unlawful advertising to consumers in California.

Highlights:

• Prohibits businesses from applying hidden fees and unlawful advertising to consumers in California (Sec. 1-2).

• Authorizes consumers who suffer damage from the above prohibition to bring an action to recover or obtain certain relief, including actual damages of at least $1,000 beginning July 1, 2024 (Sec. 1-2).

• Exempts any mandatory fees or charges other than taxes or fees imposed by a government on the transaction (Sec. 1-2).

• Specifies that the above provision does not apply to a mandatory fee or charge for individual food or beverage items sold directly to a customer by a restaurant, bar, food concession, grocery store, or grocery delivery service, or through a menu or contract for banquet or catering services that fully discloses the terms of service, subject to certain conditions (Sec. 1-2).

• Requires that said conditions include that a mandatory fee or charge be clearly and conspicuously displayed with an explanation of its purpose on an advertisement, menu, or other display beginning July 1, 2025 (Sec. 1-2).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect beginning July 1, 2024 (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text