Printed on recycled paper 132nd MAINE LEGISLATURE FIRST REGULAR SESSION-2025 Legislative Document No. 992S.P. 426 In Senate, March 11, 2025 An Act to Protect Consumers from Hidden Fees and Ensure Transparent Pricing for Live Event Tickets and Short-term Lodging Reference to the Committee on Housing and Economic Development suggested and ordered printed. DAREK M. GRANT Secretary of the Senate Presented by Senator NANGLE of Cumberland. Cosponsored by Senator: President DAUGHTRY of Cumberland. Page 1 - 132LR1503(01) 1 2 is enacted to read: 3 4 5 6 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the 7 following terms have the following meanings. 8 A. "Mandatory fee" means a fee or charge required as part of the advertised price, 9 including, but not limited to, a resort fee, service charge or convenience fee. 10 B. "Short-term lodging" means an accommodation for transient occupancy in a hotel, 11 motel, vacation rental or similar establishment, typically for under 30 days. 12 C. "Ticket" has the same meaning as in Title 8, section 1301, subsection 1, paragraph 13 C. 14 A person advertising or offering for rent or renting a short- 15 term lodging or a person advertising or offering for sale or selling a ticket shall: 16 A. Clearly and conspicuously disclose the total price of the ticket or short-term lodging, 17 including any mandatory fee, whenever the price is advertised or displayed; 18 B. Display the total price of the ticket or short-term lodging more prominently than 19 other pricing information in all advertisements, offers or displays; and 20 C. Provide a complete itemization of the total price of the ticket or short-term lodging 21 that includes the nature, purpose and amount of any mandatory fee in a font size smaller 22 than that of the total price. 23 A person may not: 24 A. Misrepresent any fee or charge associated with a ticket or short-term lodging in any 25 advertisement, offer or display; or 26 B. Exclude a mandatory fee from the advertised price of a ticket or short-term lodging 27 without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the nature, purpose and amount of the 28 mandatory fee prior to a consumer's consenting to pay for the ticket or short-term 29 lodging. 30 The Attorney General shall enforce this section. 31 A consumer harmed by a violation of this section may bring 32 an action in court against the person in violation of this section. 33 A person that violates this section is subject to treble damages and a 34 penalty not to exceed $5,000 per occurrence. Page 2 - 132LR1503(01) 1 2 This bill requires persons selling tickets to entertainment events and renting short-term 3 lodging to fully disclose all mandatory fees and display the total price of the ticket or 4 lodging more prominently than other pricing information. The bill requires enforcement by 5 the Attorney General, allows for a private cause of action by a consumer harmed by a 6 violation of the prize disclosure requirements and provides that a person who violates the 7 price disclosure requirements is subject to treble damages and a penalty not to exceed 8 $5,000 for each violation. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8