TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has ordered state agencies to review industries under their oversight for so-called “junk fees,” launching a statewide effort aimed at identifying hidden charges and recommending ways to reduce or eliminate them.
Sherrill signed Executive Order 19, directing all state agencies to examine the industries they regulate, assess the prevalence and impact of junk fees on consumers, and submit recommendations for legislative or regulatory action by Sept. 14, according to announcements from the governor’s office and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
The action is part of Sherrill’s broader affordability agenda and comes as state officials argue that hidden fees are contributing to higher costs for consumers across a range of industries. The governor said consumers should be able to see the true cost of goods and services before making a purchase.
‘Consumers Deserve Transparency’
“New Jersey consumers deserve transparency and costs that aren’t loaded with hidden fees,” Sherrill said in a statement released by the state. She said such fees “fuel the affordability crisis” and undermine confidence in advertised prices.
The initiative was announced jointly with Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, whose office and the state Division of Consumer Affairs also issued an enforcement statement outlining how certain fee practices could violate New Jersey’s consumer-protection laws.
According to the attorney general’s office, practices that may run afoul of the state’s Consumer Fraud Act include advertising prices that exclude mandatory charges, concealing fees in fine print, misrepresenting whether fees are required, and using vague descriptions for excessive or unnecessary charges.
Davenport said hidden fees are increasing costs for families and warned that businesses could face enforcement action if they engage in deceptive practices.
‘Fight the Fees’ Campaign
State officials also launched a public-awareness campaign dubbed “Fight the Fees,” encouraging residents to report suspected junk fees and providing educational materials on how to file complaints.
Reporting by New Jersey Business Magazine and WRNJ Radio said the executive order requires agencies to identify junk fees within regulated industries, evaluate their effects on consumers, recommend measures to improve price transparency and propose additional actions to address the issue.
According to New Jersey 101.5, Sherrill’s order requires agencies to provide the governor with findings by mid-September. The station reported that administration officials cited estimates that Americans spend roughly $90 billion annually on unexpected fees, or more than $650 per household.
Earlier Guidance
The initiative follows other recent actions by New Jersey officials targeting hidden fees. WRNJ Radio reported that the effort builds on guidance issued to hotels and short-term rental operators ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, enforcement of a state law limiting rental application fees and legal action involving alleged hidden charges in lending.
