**House Passes TICKET Act to Enhance Ticket Buying Transparency**

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14 days ago - Politics

House Passes New Ticket Selling Law to Protect Consumers

In a recent vote, the House of Representatives passed a new law designed to make buying tickets for events like concerts and sports games clearer and fairer. This law is called the TICKET Act.

The TICKET Act aims to stop hidden fees when purchasing tickets. Under this new law, all ticket sellers must clearly show the total price of tickets, including any additional charges, before anyone buys them. This means no more surprises at checkout! Sellers must display these prices in all advertisements and during the buying process. If they fail to do this, it will be illegal 180 days after the law goes into effect.

The TICKET Act also puts a stop to a practice known as "speculative ticketing." This means that sellers cannot advertise tickets they do not actually have. This rule helps protect buyers from scams and ensures that people can only purchase tickets that are available.

If an event gets canceled or postponed, the law has strict rules about what ticket sellers must do. If an event is canceled, sellers must give a full refund. If the event is postponed, they have to either provide a new ticket for the new date or offer a refund, following specific timelines.

Moreover, the law requires ticket sellers to explain their refund policies clearly. Buyers will know exactly how to get their money back if something goes wrong with their ticket purchase.

The Federal Trade Commission will be responsible for making sure everyone follows these new rules, helping to protect consumers.

Overall, the TICKET Act is a significant step towards making the ticket buying process more transparent and fair, which should lead to less confusion and frustration for fans attending various events.

This is a bill that requires ticket sellers to show all the costs involved in buying tickets for events, like concerts and games.

  1. Clear Ticket Prices: Starting 180 days after the bill passes, ticket sellers must clearly show the total ticket price in all ads and to customers when they first look for tickets. They must also show a list of all extra fees before the customer buys the ticket.

  2. No Speculative Sales: Also, sellers cannot sell tickets they don’t actually have. If they don’t have a ticket in hand, they can’t advertise or sell it. However, they can offer a service to help customers get tickets, as long as they clearly say it’s a service, not a ticket.

  3. Refunds: If an event is canceled or postponed (unless due to reasons like a natural disaster), ticket sellers must give full refunds for canceled events or a replacement ticket for postponed events.

  4. Disclosures: Ticket sellers must tell buyers they are in the secondary market (selling previously sold tickets), and they cannot falsely claim to be affiliated with the event or venue unless they have permission.

This legislation aims to protect consumers by ensuring they understand the complete cost of tickets and their rights if something goes wrong with the event.

424 votes

Yes

409

No

15

Not Voting

9

  1. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  2. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 15 (Roll no. 107).
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  3. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 15 (Roll no. 107).
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  4. Considered as unfinished business.
  5. At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  6. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1402.
  7. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1640: 1; text: CR H1640-1641)
  8. Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  9. Reported in House

    This is a bill that requires ticket sellers to show all the costs involved in buying tickets for events, like concerts and games.

    1. Clear Ticket Prices: Starting 180 days after the bill passes, ticket sellers must clearly show the total ticket price in all ads and to customers when they first look for tickets. They must also show a list of all extra fees before the customer buys the ticket.

    2. No Speculative Sales: Also, sellers cannot sell tickets they don’t actually have. If they don’t have a ticket in hand, they can’t advertise or sell it. However, they can offer a service to help customers get tickets, as long as they clearly say it’s a service, not a ticket.

    3. Refunds: If an event is canceled or postponed (unless due to reasons like a natural disaster), ticket sellers must give full refunds for canceled events or a replacement ticket for postponed events.

    4. Disclosures: Ticket sellers must tell buyers they are in the secondary market (selling previously sold tickets), and they cannot falsely claim to be affiliated with the event or venue unless they have permission.

    This legislation aims to protect consumers by ensuring they understand the complete cost of tickets and their rights if something goes wrong with the event.

  10. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 43.
  11. Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-66.
  12. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
  13. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  14. Introduced in House

    This is a new law that makes buying event tickets clearer and fairer for everyone.

    1. Important Changes:

      • Ticket sellers must show the total price of tickets, including all fees, right away when they advertise.
      • Before you buy a ticket, sellers must give a clear list of the basic ticket price and any extra fees.

    2. What It Prohibits:

      • It will be illegal for sellers to advertise or sell tickets they don’t actually have.
      • Sellers can offer a service to help you get tickets but must clearly say this is not a ticket purchase and does not guarantee you’ll get a ticket.

    3. Refund Rules:

      • If an event is canceled, you will get a full refund for your ticket.
      • If the event is postponed, you might get a new ticket for the same type of seating, or you can choose a full refund.
      • The sellers must explain how you can get a refund.

    4. Enforcement:

      • If sellers break these rules, there will be serious consequences and they will be treated the same as if they broke other trade rules.

    5. Implementation Time:

      • These rules will start 180 days after the law is passed.

    This law aims to protect consumers and make ticket buying a better experience.

  15. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  16. Introduced in House