The act has near-universal support from both parties
Today (Tues, Apr 29th), the House passed the Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act (H.R. 1402), or TICKET Act, by a bipartisan vote of 409-15. The bill would ensure a fair, dynamic, and transparent ticket market exists for fans across the country.
The TICKET Act has near-universal support from both parties, consumer protection organizations, trade associations, and industry groups.
“The House has once again made clear: consumers deserve transparency and fairness when buying event tickets,” states John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications and Fraud at the National Consumers League. “This legislation puts an end to hidden fees and deceptive resale practices that have cheated fans for too long. With the House having acted, the Senate must now move swiftly to pass the TICKET Act and send it to the President’s desk. With so many live events coming this summer, consumers can’t afford more delays.”
“With another overwhelming bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives has reaffirmed what consumer advocates, artists, venues, and industry leaders all agree on: it’s time for transparency in ticketing,” adds Brian Hess, Executive Director of Sports Fans Coalition. “We thank Chair Guthrie, Ranking Member Pallone, Chair Bilirakis, and Ranking Member Schakowsky for their tireless advocacy on behalf of fans. The TICKET Act delivers all-in pricing and comprehensive protections against deceptive practices that have plagued the ticket resale market for too long. We urge the Senate to pass the TICKET Act without delay. Together, we can build a marketplace that works for fans.”
The TICKET Act illegalizes hidden ticket fees by mandating all-in, upfront pricing so the first price you see is the last number you see (plus tax).
It establishes refund requirements by providing fans a full refund to a canceled event or, if the event is postponed, a comparable replacement ticket, at the approval of the fan.
It also cracks down on misleading websites and deceptive URLs where ticket websites cannot claim to be “official” sellers or resellers unless they actually are.
It prohibits ticket resellers from using the names of venues, teams, artists, and events in their online domain names.
It bans deceptive “speculative” ticketing, meaning no more buying a promise for a ticket, now sellers can only offer tickets they have in possession or offer ticket procurement shopping services (which some ticket sellers offer today).
The bill requires clarity and clear distinction between tickets for sale and ticket procurement services. It maintains the ability for fans to purchase tickets conveniently through ticket procurement services (shopping services similar to Door Dash and Instacart, but for tickets) but requires ticket sellers to ensure clear and conspicuous disclosures and a distinction between in-possession tickets for sale and pay-now-procure-later shopping services. This helps fans avoid the chaos of public on-sales and the special access that often comes with them.
It assesses the use of illegal software bots by requiring the FTC to study the 2016-enacted BOTS Act, its enforcement to date, and help identify the challenges with its enforcement.
Earlier this year, the TICKET Act passed the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation.
