Sen. Nangle introduces bill to protect Maine consumers from hidden fees

AUGUSTA – On Wednesday, March 27, Sen. Tim Nangle, D-Windham, introduced legislation to protect Maine consumers from hidden fees and ensure transparent pricing when booking short-term lodging or purchasing live event tickets. LD 992, “An Act to Protect Consumers from Hidden Fees and Ensure Transparent Pricing for Live Event Tickets and Short-term Lodging,” received a public hearing in the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee.

“Too often, what starts as a seemingly fair price ends as a frustrating surprise,” said Sen. Nangle. “A $100 advertised room becomes $160 by the time you reach the final screen. A $50 ticket jumps to $75 — not because the product changed but because the price wasn’t honest to begin with. This bill is about restoring trust. It’s about fairness, plain and simple. Mainers work hard for their money. They deserve straight answers, not fine print and hidden fees.”

LD 992 would require that the full cost, including any mandatory fees, be clearly disclosed whenever a price is advertised or displayed. It applies to two rapidly growing sectors where deceptive fees are particularly common: short-term rentals and live event ticketing. The bill empowers the Attorney General to enforce the new standards and allows consumers to take legal action if they’re harmed by noncompliance.

While the Federal Trade Commission has finalized a similar national rule, Sen. Nangle noted in the public hearing that LD 992 reflects Maine’s core value of fairness and creates a state-level standard that is resilient against future federal policy shifts.

LD 992 faces further action in committee.

Sen. Nangle represents Senate District 26, which includes Windham, Raymond, Casco, Frye Island, and part of Westbrook.

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