Fee Transparency Now Law
All fees, taxes and shipping costs are all part of a new Honest Pricing Law.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following statement and information for consumers following Senate Bill 478 (SB 478) that went into effect on July 1.
SB 478 makes it illegal for businesses to advertise or list a price for a good or service that does not include all required fees or charges other than certain government taxes and shipping costs. Also known as the “Honest Pricing Law” or “Hidden Fees Statute,” SB 478 does not change what price a business can charge or what may be included in that cost, it simply requires that the price listed include all mandatory charges consumers will pay.
Mandatory fees charged by restaurants, bars, and other select food vendors are exempted from SB 478’s requirements so long as the fee is clearly and conspicuously displayed on the menu (see SB 1524, effective June 29, 2024).
“From the beautiful cliffs and seaside towns of Mendocino, to the bustling beaches of San Diego, I, like many Californians, will explore and enjoy all our great state has to offer this summer,” said Attorney General Bonta in a news release. “Only this year, Californians won’t have to worry about hidden fees at check out. SB 478 ensures clear and honest communication with consumers, so we can make the financial choices that are best for us and our families. As the hidden fee law goes into effect, I want consumers to be aware of their rights and feel confident to advocate for the transparency SB 478 provides. We all win when laws are followed. This summer, enjoy California — without the hidden fees.”
Why Hidden Fees Are a Problem
According to 2018 data from Consumer Reports, at least 85% of Americans have experienced a hidden or unexpected fee for a service, and more than two-thirds of those surveyed in 2023 said they were paying more now in surprise charges than they did five years earlier.
What to Do if You Notice Hidden Fees
Consumers who observe apparent violations are encouraged to first have a conversation with the business and ask them to come into compliance. Consumers, employees, and competitor businesses who observe apparent violations can bring potential violations to our attention by visiting oag.ca.gov/report.
New State Park Opens in Modesto Area
There’s a new State Park in the mix.
Located about eight miles west of Modesto in the Central Valley new state park, currently called Dos Rios, opened in June.
“The vision for Dos Rios is a journey into the past, revealing a lush Central Valley and a local escape – adjacent to two rivers and a wildlife refuge,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “State Parks is committed to ensuring access for all Californians as we collaboratively craft this park alongside the public, tribal partners, and stakeholders for a healthier natural environment close to home.”
Officials say the new park offers opportunities to improve mental, physical, and social well-being for those who attend. Thanks to a partnership between California State Parks and the California Conservation Corps, visitors will be able to hike some areas of the property and enjoy newly built picnic tables and ramadas. Planning for greater river access for swimming, angling, boating, and other water sports, along with trails for bicycling and other outdoor recreation activities will involve a public engagement process that includes consultation with area Tribes.
As part of the planning process, the official name and park classification of Dos Rios will be determined and approved by the California State Park and Recreation Commission soon.
Poly Recognized for Student Success
Focusing on the Cal Poly Scholars program, which seeks to support and retain high-achieving students from California schools who come from low-income backgrounds, the university is the 2024 recipient of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Excellence & Innovation Student Success and College Completion Award.
“We are delighted to have our Cal Poly Scholars program recognized by AASCU,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “Cal Poly Scholars is a point of pride across campus and shows what colleges and universities — and talented students — can achieve through focused effort.”
The Cal Poly Scholars program began in 2012 with 14 students. The program was created to test whether providing better financial aid, mentoring, proactive advising, and a requirement to live on campus for their first two years (the first year in a focused Learning Community) could erase retention and graduation gaps between low-income, first-generation students and the student body as a whole. The program has succeeded, retaining and graduating participants at rates on par with the student body as a whole and eliminating achievement and graduation gaps. For 2023-24, there were 989 new full-time Scholars, a total of 2,713 enrolled, and 3.621 total participants since 2012.
CHP Makes 1,300 DUI Arrests Over Holiday Weekend
Because people can’t seem to remain sober nor rely on a car service when out drinking, CHP officers kept watch over California’s crowded roadways over the July 4 weekend.
During the 102-hour holiday enforcement effort, CHP officers made 1,336 arrests for driving under the influence and issued 17,753 speeding citations. Sadly, 29 people were killed in crashes within CHP jurisdiction. Among the 15 vehicle occupants who died, eight were not wearing a seat belt.
During the Independence Day weekend, CHP conducted a Maximum Enforcement Period to ensure the safety of all Californians. The statewide statistics from this effort are as follows:
• Over 1,600 arrests, with over 1,300 being DUI-related
• Nearly 30,000 citations issued, including over 17,000 for excessive speed
• Over 600 citations for drivers exceeding 100 miles per hour
• Nearly 1,000 seatbelt violations cited
• Over 1,900 distracted driving citations issued
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