S.430 - Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act; TICKET Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The TICKET Act (S.430) aims to increase transparency in event ticket pricing. It requires ticket issuers and secondary market ticket issuers to disclose the total event ticket price, including all fees, clearly and conspicuously in any advertisement or price list, and at the beginning of the purchase process. The bill defines key terms such as "base event ticket price," "event ticket fee," and "secondary market ticket issuer" to ensure clarity and consistent application of the law.
Expected Effects
The act will likely lead to consumers being more aware of the actual cost of event tickets before committing to a purchase. This could potentially reduce consumer frustration and increase trust in the ticket purchasing process. It may also lead to increased competition among ticket sellers based on total price transparency.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Price Transparency: Consumers will see the full cost of tickets upfront, avoiding hidden fees.
- Informed Purchasing Decisions: Buyers can make better choices when they know the total price.
- Fairer Competition: Ticket sellers may compete more on total price rather than hiding fees.
- Reduced Consumer Frustration: Eliminating surprise fees can improve the ticket buying experience.
- Standardized Definitions: Clear definitions reduce ambiguity and potential for circumvention.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Higher Perceived Prices: Displaying the total price upfront might deter some buyers, even if the actual cost remains the same.
- Compliance Costs: Ticket sellers may incur costs to update their systems and comply with the new disclosure requirements.
- Limited Scope: The act focuses on disclosure but doesn't address other issues like ticket availability or scalping.
- Enforcement Challenges: Ensuring all ticket sellers comply with the disclosure requirements could be challenging for the FTC.
- Possible unintended consequences: Sellers may increase base ticket prices to offset the perception of high fees.
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 by addressing the sale and distribution of event tickets across state lines. The Act's enforcement mechanism through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is consistent with the powers delegated to Congress to regulate commerce. There are no apparent conflicts with individual rights or freedoms 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).