OAN’s James Myers
3:08 PM – Thursday, May 16, 2024
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the Major Event Ticketing Fee Transparency Act (TICKET) to help consumers know in advance how much they will actually pay for tickets and avoid hidden surcharges.
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The ticket law details require sellers to list the total price of the ticket to the purchaser, including any fees and taxes that are normally assessed at the end of the purchase.
The law would also require sellers to disclose whether the tickets they are selling are speculative, meaning they are not currently owned by the seller.
The new bill would ban deceptive websites used by secondary sellers and require sellers to refund money if an event is cancelled.
It will now move to the Senate.
Additionally, another bipartisan group of senators introduced the Fan First Act in December. This increases cost transparency and prevents resellers from offering tickets at exorbitant prices to meet demand.
The bill was first introduced in June 2023 by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida).
Mr. Bilirakis, Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), and Committee Ranking Member Frank Schakowsky (D-Ill.). Mr. Pallone Jr. (DN.J.) released the following joint statement. The ticket law will be passed on Wednesday.
“By restoring fairness and transparency to the ticket market, this consensus bill would end years of deceptive ticket sales practices that frustrate consumers who simply want to enjoy concerts, shows, and sporting events. As a result of our partisan efforts, we are now able to improve the customer experience when purchasing event tickets online. We will continue to work together to push for swift passage in the Senate and send the bill to the President’s desk for signature. I’m looking forward to being able to do that.”
However, the bill has not yet received a floor vote.
Dana MacLean, executive director of the Ticket Fairness Coalition (CTF), said the bill would “level the playing field” for people seeking tickets to live events.
“This improves the purchasing process for fans and gives them more information. This is what CTF stands for: transparency and consumer choice,” she said in a phone interview.
Meanwhile, last week, Maryland banned speculative ticket sales and Minnesota required disclosure of all fees included in ticket prices.
“Not only did the U.S. House of Representatives act to protect consumers from predatory and deceptive ticket sales practices, but states across the country, including Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, and Nevada, have recently, without exception, in a bipartisan ” Stephen Parker, executive director of the National Independent Venue Association, said in a statement. “We urge Congress to do the same and build on the Ticket Act by adopting strong, enforceable, and comprehensive ticket sales reform legislation like the Fans First Act.”
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