HLS 21RS-3722 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 221
BY REPRESENTATIVE MARCELLE
AIRCRAFT/AVIATION: Memorializes the United States Congress to encourage the
Federal Aviation Administration to protect the rights of airline passengers against
misleading baggage and other ancillary fees
1 A RESOLUTION
2To memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to compel
3 the Federal Aviation Administration to protect the rights of consumers by setting
4 consistent standards across airlines for passenger baggage and other ancillary fees.
5 WHEREAS, the United States Congress largely determines the degree to which
6certain rights of airline passengers are codified in law or developed through regulatory
7rulemaking; and
8 WHEREAS, in 2008, the first major United States carrier imposed a fee for checked
9baggage; and
10 WHEREAS, all major carriers now charge an additional fee for checked baggage
11with the exception of Southwest airlines subject to weight requirements; and
12 WHEREAS, airlines have been under financial pressure to offset the cost of rising
13fuel prices, and many airlines now charge excess baggage fees for checking one or more
14pieces of luggage, with some even charging for carry-ons; and
15 WHEREAS, in 2018, several airlines raised the fee for the first checked bag from
16twenty-five to thirty dollars, which amounts to a twenty percent increase; and
17 WHEREAS, airlines' bag and reservation fee collections have increased every year
18for more than a decade; and
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HR NO. 221
1 WHEREAS, airlines' bag fees have exceeded one billion every quarter for more than
2three years with the exception of the second through fourth quarters in 2020 due to the
3pandemic; and
4 WHEREAS, in 2019, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that airlines
5collectively generated eight billion six hundred million in baggage and other ancillary fees;
6and
7 WHEREAS, in 2019, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that airlines
8collectively generated two billion eight million in reservation change fees; and
9 WHEREAS, many airline passengers have expressed concerns over baggage policies
10that are inconsistent across airlines; and
11 WHEREAS, airline baggage fees have become progressively more confusing,
12complicated, and expensive; and
13 WHEREAS, although baggage fees are displayed on the airlines' websites,
14consumers report that additional hidden fees are not mentioned; and
15 WHEREAS, certain airlines charge up to forty-five dollars for carry-on bags and
16have additional complications; and
17 WHEREAS, airline baggage fees can vary depending on when and where passengers
18add bags; and
19 WHEREAS, one of the top ten customer complaints about the airline industry is
20hidden charges and cost; and
21 WHEREAS, the aforementioned concerns of airline passengers are issues of
22consumer protection for which the United State Congress has the constitutional power to
23address and determine fair and reasonable solutions through codified law and regulatory
24rulemaking.
25 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
26Legislature of Louisiana does hereby memorialize the United States Congress to take such
27actions as are necessary to work with the Federal Aviation Administration to set consistent
28standards across airlines for baggage and other ancillary fees that are reasonable and
29proportional to the cost of services to eliminate airlines' potential for price gouging.
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HR NO. 221
1 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United State Congress should consider
2enacting legislation that addresses the issues of transparency by mandating that airlines
3disclose hidden fees so that consumers can obtain an all inclusive airfare price.
4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United State Congress should also consider
5legislation that prohibits airlines from charging fees on carry-on baggage which meets
6existing restrictions on the weight, size, and number of bags.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United State Congress should consider
8directing the appropriate federal agency to conduct an audit on airlines' policies relative to
9baggage and other ancillary fees.
10 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
11presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States
12Congress and to each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 221 Original 2021 Regular Session Marcelle
Memorializes the U.S. Congress to work with the Federal Aviation Administration to set
consistent standards across airlines for baggage and other ancillary fees to ensure
reasonableness and proportionality relative to the cost associated with these services.
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