Photo Credit: Dylan Mullins
The House has passed the TICKET Act with a bipartisan vote of 409-15. Now the bill heads to the Senate to await a final vote before making it to the President’s desk.
The Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act has passed in the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 409-15.
The bill, which has near-universal support from both parties, would ensure a fair, dynamic, and transparent ticket market for fans across the United States. It has also seen overwhelming support from consumer protection organizations, trade associations, and industry groups.
“The House has once again made clear: consumers deserve transparency and fairness when buying event tickets,” said 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,” said 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.”
Earlier this year, the TICKET Act passed the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation.
The TICKET Act promises the following:
Illegalizing hidden ticket fees: mandating all-in, upfront pricing, so the first price you see is the last number you see, plus tax; providing fans a full refund to a cancelled event, or a comparable replacement ticket if the event is postponed.
Cracking down on misleading websites and deceptive URLs: ticket websites cannot claim to be “official” sellers or resellers unless they actually are; prohibiting sellers or resellers from using the names of venues, teams, artists, and events in their online domain names.
Banning deceptive “speculative” ticketing: sellers can only offer tickets they have in possession or offer ticket procurement shopping services; requiring clarity and a distinction between tickets for sale and ticket procurement services.
Maintaining the ability for fans to purchase through ticket procurement services, but requiring ticket sellers to ensure clear and conspicuous disclosures and a distinction between in-possession tickets and pay-now-procure-later shopping services.
Assessing the use of illegal software bots: requiring the FTC to study the 2016-enacted BOTS Act, its enforcement to date, and help identify the challenges with its enforcement.
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