ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 221
BY REPRESENTATIVE MARCELLE
A RESOLUTION
To memorialize the United States Congress to take such actions as are necessary to compel
the Federal Aviation Administration to protect the rights of consumers by setting
consistent standards across airlines for passenger baggage and other ancillary fees.
WHEREAS, the United States Congress largely determines the degree to which
certain rights of airline passengers are codified in law or developed through regulatory
rulemaking; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, the first major United States carrier imposed a fee for checked
baggage; and
WHEREAS, all major carriers now charge an additional fee for checked baggage
with the exception of Southwest airlines subject to weight requirements; and
WHEREAS, airlines have been under financial pressure to offset the cost of rising
fuel prices, and many airlines now charge excess baggage fees for checking one or more
pieces of luggage, with some even charging for carry-ons; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, several airlines raised the fee for the first checked bag from
twenty-five to thirty dollars, which amounts to a twenty percent increase; and
WHEREAS, airlines' bag and reservation fee collections have increased every year
for more than a decade; and
WHEREAS, airlines' bag fees have exceeded one billion every quarter for more than
three years with the exception of the second through fourth quarters in 2020 due to the
pandemic; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that airlines
collectively generated eight billion six hundred million in baggage and other ancillary fees;
and
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WHEREAS, in 2019, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported that airlines
collectively generated two billion eight million in reservation change fees; and
WHEREAS, many airline passengers have expressed concerns over baggage policies
that are inconsistent across airlines; and
WHEREAS, airline baggage fees have become progressively more confusing,
complicated, and expensive; and
WHEREAS, although baggage fees are displayed on the airlines' websites,
consumers report that additional hidden fees are not mentioned; and
WHEREAS, certain airlines charge up to forty-five dollars for carry-on bags and
have additional complications; and
WHEREAS, airline baggage fees can vary depending on when and where passengers
add bags; and
WHEREAS, one of the top ten customer complaints about the airline industry is
hidden charges and cost; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned concerns of airline passengers are issues of
consumer protection for which the United State Congress has the constitutional power to
address and determine fair and reasonable solutions through codified law and regulatory
rulemaking.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby memorialize the United States Congress to take such
actions as are necessary to work with the Federal Aviation Administration to set consistent
standards across airlines for baggage and other ancillary fees that are reasonable and
proportional to the cost of services to eliminate airlines' potential for price gouging.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United State Congress should consider
enacting legislation that addresses the issues of transparency by mandating that airlines
disclose hidden fees so that consumers can obtain an all inclusive airfare price.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United State Congress should also consider
legislation that prohibits airlines from charging fees on carry-on baggage which meets
existing restrictions on the weight, size, and number of bags.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United State Congress should consider
directing the appropriate federal agency to conduct an audit on airlines' policies relative to
baggage and other ancillary fees.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
presiding officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States
Congress and to each member of the Louisiana congressional delegation.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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