S.281 - Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act; TICKET Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The TICKET Act (S.281) aims to increase transparency and fairness in the event ticket market. It mandates full price disclosure, prohibits speculative ticketing, and sets refund requirements for canceled or postponed events. The bill also directs the FTC to report on enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016.
Expected Effects
Consumers will likely see more transparent pricing and be protected from speculative ticket sales. The FTC will have increased responsibility in monitoring and enforcing regulations in the ticket market. Ticket issuers and secondary markets will need to adjust their practices to comply with the new requirements, potentially increasing their operational costs.
Potential Benefits
- Clearer pricing for event tickets, reducing hidden fees.
- Protection against speculative ticket sales, ensuring availability of tickets.
- Refund guarantees for canceled or postponed events, reducing financial risk for consumers.
- Increased transparency in the secondary ticket market, informing consumers about resale status.
- Enhanced FTC oversight and enforcement, promoting fair practices in the ticket industry.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in ticket prices as sellers factor in compliance costs.
- Possible reduction in the availability of resale tickets due to stricter regulations.
- Complexity for small ticket issuers to comply with the new requirements.
- Limited impact on events canceled or postponed due to unforeseeable circumstances.
- Potential for legal challenges and interpretations of the Act's provisions.
Constitutional Alignment
The TICKET Act primarily regulates interstate commerce related to event tickets. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the US Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the several states. The Act's provisions on transparency, speculative ticketing, and refunds appear to fall within this constitutional authority. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
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).