Republican lawmakers around the country have recently taken aim at so-called “junk fees,” suggesting states should ban hidden tariff-based markups imposed by national retailers who claim rising prices are linked to federal trade policy.
Momentum Builds on Junk Fee Bans
In Virginia, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin signed bipartisan legislation on May 2, 2025, updating the Virginia Consumer Protection Act to ban hidden fees by requiring that all mandatory charges be disclosed upfront in advertised prices. The law, effective July 2025, aims to eliminate undisclosed surcharges that often total hundreds of dollars per household annually.
This makes Virginia among several states that have embraced similar junk fee transparency laws, creating a patchwork of state-level protections even as the federal Trade Commission explores rules banning junk fees in limited industries.
Tariffs Used as Cover by Some Retailers
Many big-box retailers across states have raised prices—sometimes introducing branded “tariff fees”—and blamed President Trump’s trade policies for the increases. However, consumer advocates argue that in many cases supply costs did not change, especially for goods made domestically or sourced from countries outside of newly taxed markets.
Consumer groups warn that these so-called tariff surcharges can act as disguised junk fees, shielding price increases from public scrutiny—while falsely justifying them on trade policy.
Should Florida Join the Junk Fee Reform Wave?
Given this rising national trend, the question now facing Florida lawmakers is clear: Should Florida follow Virginia and enact junk fee transparency laws to hold opportunistic retailers accountable?
Conservatives are calling on other states to act. State legislators in Florida could pass a law requiring retailers to incorporate all mandatory fees—including tariff‐style surcharges—into advertised prices. If a store claims higher costs due to tariffs, they must substantiate it. If they cannot, the surcharge should be banned.
Florida’s Opportunity to Protect Consumers
Florida legislators could consider:
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Enacting junk fee law reforms that require transparent pricing in retail sales statewide.
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Empowering the Attorney General to enforce violations aggressively. (Attorney General James Uthmeier has already put retailers on notice on the issue and has instructed Floridians to alert his office of price gouging).
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Investigating misleading tariff fee tactics under the umbrella of the state’s consumer protection laws.
By doing so, Florida would reinforce President Trump’s America First message—not by endorsing illegal price hikes, but by ensuring that retailers cannot exploit patriotic themes to gouge working families.
Why It Matters
Some conservatives argue that retailers hike prices and add bogus tariff fees are not championing American workers—they are profiteering. Families across Florida deserve to know exactly what they will pay—no surprises, no scams, no false justifications.
With Congress deadlocked and unable to pass robust price transparency laws, states like Virginia have stepped up. Maybe it’s time for Florida to do the same.
As Youngkin proved in Virginia, states can act responsibly and boldly, protecting consumers while respecting business. It is time for Florida Republicans to ask: Should Florida stand with consumers—or with price-gouging retailers?
