North Carolina Junk Fee Prevention Act requires total upfront pricing and caps early termination fees

Original title: NC Junk Fee Prevention Act.

Last action · April 14, 2025: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action)Sponsors: Tim Longest and 9 others

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Introduced

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Floor Vote

Passed

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What This Bill Would Do

House Bill 955 requires short-term lodging providers, internet and telecommunications services, and ticket sellers to display the total upfront price including all s at the first instance, bans excessive fees and unfair early termination charges, and sets an effective date of October 1, 2025.

Why it matters

Consumers will see full prices before starting a purchase and gain the right to full refunds under certain conditions, while businesses face civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation of these fee transparency rules.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Consumers

Consumers must be shown total upfront prices including all mandatory fees and receive protections regarding refunds and termination fees.

Directly affected

Covered entities

Providers of short-term lodging and covered services must display total prices upfront and comply with restrictions on mandatory and early termination fees.

Directly affected

Ticket issuers and resellers

Ticket issuers and secondary exchanges must disclose total ticket prices, processing fee limits, and inventory numbers prior to sale.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fees are required to be shown upfront under the bill?

Covered entities must display the total price including any s that a consumer is required to pay, that are not reasonably avoidable, or that a reasonable consumer would not expect to be included.

What penalties do businesses face for violating the Junk Fee Prevention Act?

A violation is classified as an unfair or deceptive trade practice under G.S. 75-1.1, and the Attorney General may assess civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation and issue cease-and-desist orders.

Does the bill ban all early termination fees for internet and phone services?

No, it bans fees or requirements that are excessive or unreasonable, but providers are still permitted to charge for unreturned rental equipment or the outstanding cost of a purchased device.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

3 actions

Apr 14, 2025House
Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Apr 14, 2025House
Passed 1st Reading
Apr 10, 2025HouseIntroduced
Filed

Version history

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