H.R.1402 - Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act; TICKET Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1402, the TICKET Act, aims to increase transparency in the event ticketing market. It mandates that ticket sellers disclose the total ticket price, including all fees, upfront to consumers. The bill also prohibits speculative ticketing and requires clear disclosure of refund policies.
Expected Effects
This bill will likely lead to more informed purchasing decisions by consumers in the event ticketing market. It could also reduce deceptive practices by ticket sellers and increase consumer confidence. The FTC will be required to report on enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in ticket pricing, allowing consumers to make informed decisions.
- Prohibition of speculative ticketing, reducing the risk of purchasing tickets that do not exist.
- Clearer refund policies, protecting consumers when events are canceled or postponed.
- Prevention of misleading affiliations with venues, teams, or artists.
- Enhanced enforcement by the FTC, ensuring compliance with the Act.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased compliance costs for ticket sellers, which may be passed on to consumers.
- Possible reduction in the availability of tickets on the secondary market.
- The definition of 'event' excludes venues with a seating capacity of 200 or less, potentially leaving smaller events unregulated.
- The Act's enforcement relies on the FTC, and its effectiveness will depend on the FTC's resources and priorities.
- The 180-day delay before the Act takes effect could allow for continued deceptive practices in the short term.
Constitutional Alignment
The TICKET Act appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, as it regulates interstate commerce related to event tickets. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights. The Act empowers the FTC to enforce the rules, which is consistent with the delegation of powers to the executive branch.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).