Advocacy in Action | May 15, 2025

CRA Night at the Capitol

This is your chance to showcase your business, network with key decision-makers and fellow industry leaders, and demonstrate the power of our industry during the final week of the 2025 Legislative Session. 

Whether you're tabling or attending, your presence helps amplify our collective voice!

Register to Attend

Register Interest to Table

FTC New Junk Fees Rule Sets a Standard for Hotel Pricing

The Federal Trade Commission's new rule, effective starting May 12, requires that hotels and live-event businesses clearly display the total price of bookings, including all mandatory fees like resort or destination charges. The regulation is aimed at eliminating deceptive pricing practices and ensuring price transparency for consumers.

While some hotel chains have begun complying voluntarily, enforcement by the FTC now ensures all businesses follow suit. Future federal laws may build on this foundation to prevent fee obfuscation and level the playing field across the hospitality sector.

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Latest on Tariffs

Over the weekend, the U.S. and China entered an agreement to reduce tariffs, eliminate retaliation, retain a U.S. baseline tariff on China, and set a path for future discussions to rebalance the current U.S. trade deficit while maintaining open market access for American exports. 

• The U.S. and China will each lower tariffs by 115% while retaining an additional 10% tariff. 

• Other U.S. measures will remain in place. 

• Both sides will take these actions by May 14, 2025. 

• The reductions are temporary, set to last for 90 days (expiring mid-August) while talks continue. 

FDA Approves 3 Natural Colors to Accelerate Food Industry Transition from Artificial Dyes

The FDA has approved three new natural color additives—derived from algae, butterfly pea flower, and calcium phosphate—to help the food industry transition away from petroleum-based synthetic dyes. 

This move comes amid growing regulatory and public pressure, which targets artificial additives in ultraprocessed foods. While not a ban, the FDA, has urged companies to voluntarily eliminate artificial dyes by the end of 2026.

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Bill Tracker: Updated Weekly

The Connecticut Restaurant Association actively monitors a wide range of legislation throughout each legislative session. It's important to note that the introduction of a bill does not guarantee its passage.

The CRA Bill Tracker gives you a sense of the breadth and variety of legislation we track throughout session, as well as an overview on the status of each bill.

Bill Tracker