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ARTICLE · 31 JULY 2026

“Junk Fees” Summer 2026 Roundup Part 2 – State AG Enforcement On Fee Practices

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
Kelley Drye & Warren LLP
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Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

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State Attorneys General are intensifying enforcement efforts against "junk fees" through new guidance and dedicated task forces, interpreting existing consumer protection laws to combat hidden charges, drip pricing, and deceptive fee practices. Recent actions by New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California AGs signal a coordinated push to address pricing transparency across multiple industries, from auto dealerships to entertainment services.

United StatesConsumer Protection
Paul Singer
Paul Singer
Donnelly McDowell
Donnelly McDowell
Beth Bolen Chun
Beth Bolen Chun
Gonzalo E. Mon
Gonzalo E. Mon

In this second installment of our Summer 2026 Roundup, we summarize recent enforcement efforts and announcements by State AGs pertaining to so-called “junk fees” and related affordability issues. These updates serve as another reminder of State AGs’ efforts to address pricing issues under existing state UDAP laws, even as new laws are taking hold in the states. 

New Jersey “Junk Fees” Enforcement Statement

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined forces in June with the state’s governor in an announcement “cracking down” on junk fees. While Governor Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order for agencies to recommend junk fee legislation, AG Davenport drafted an “Enforcement Statement” and provided new educational materials on her office’s interpretation of current law. The Statement “explains how some widespread practices surrounding junk fees may violate” New Jersey’s UDAP law, the Consumer Fraud Act (CFA). The office describes “junk fees” as hidden, surprise, or

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