On Monday, June 15, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 19 directing all Executive Branch agencies to review the industries they regulate and identify hidden or unexpected “junk fees” that increase costs for consumers. By September 14, agencies must provide recommendations to the Governor’s Office on potential legislative, regulatory, and enforcement actions to reduce or eliminate these fees and promote greater price transparency across New Jersey.

In conjunction with the Executive Order, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs issued an enforcement statement outlining how certain fee practices may violate the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. The guidance highlights concerns with practices such as mandatory fees added late in the purchasing process, hidden charges buried in fine print, and fees that provide little or no value to consumers.

Businesses should be aware that the Administration has signaled increased scrutiny of pricing and fee disclosure practices across multiple industries. The Chamber will continue monitoring any resulting legislative or regulatory proposals and their potential impact on New Jersey employers.

To read the Governor's press release, click here.