Bill Text: NJ SR71 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializes Congress to prohibit airlines from charging for carry-on baggage.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-02-18 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR71 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SR71-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JEFF VAN DREW
District 1 (Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland)
Senator JENNIFER BECK
District 12 (Mercer and Monmouth)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senator Beach
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes Congress to prohibit airlines from charging for carry-on baggage.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution respectfully memorializing the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to prohibit airlines from charging fees on certain carry-on baggage.
Whereas, Spirit Airlines has adopted a policy of charging fees on certain carry-on baggage as of August 1, 2010; and
Whereas, The fees to be charged by Spirit Airlines will apply to certain carry-on baggage that will not fit under seat space, with fees ranging from $20 to $45; and
Whereas, The imposition of these fees by an airline in the United States is a radical departure from the current practice of permitting airline passengers storing overhead bags meeting existing restrictions on weight, size, and number of bags to do so without an extra charge; and
Whereas, Such a policy is unfair to middle-class families, especially those with many children, who may find themselves priced out of airline travel and thus find it difficult to visit friends and family at distant locations or to travel to vacation destinations; and
Whereas, It is in the public interest for the Congress of the United States to enact legislation which would prohibit airlines from charging fees for carry-on baggage stored overhead which meets existing restrictions on the weight, size, and number of bags; now therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully memorializes the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to prohibit airlines from charging fees on carry-on baggage which meets existing restrictions on the weight, size, and number of bags.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested to by the Secretary thereof shall be transmitted to each member of New Jersey's congressional delegation and to the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives and the President and Secretary of the United States Senate.
STATEMENT
This Senate Resolution respectfully memorializes the United States Congress to enact legislation which would prohibit airlines from charging fees on certain carry-on baggage as long as the baggage meets existing restrictions on weight, size, and number of bags.
This resolution is in response to a policy announced by Spirit Airlines to charge fees ranging from $20 to $45 for certain carry-on baggage stored overhead. This policy is a radical change in the airlines existing practice of generally not charging for carry-on luggage and would be a particular burden on middle class families, especially those with a large number of children, using airlines for family and vacation travel.
