Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires tickets for entertainment events to include a transferable and nonrestrictive option, effective August 1, 2012.

Highlights:

• Requires that a “ticket issuer” not employ a “restrictive ticketing system” unless the consumer is given the option to purchase a ticket that can be transferred at any price to any person at any time (Sec. 2).

• Defines a “ticket issuer” as a person that makes event tickets available, directly or indirectly, for initial sale to the general public, including the following (Sec. 1);
• The operator of the venue;
• The sponsor or promoter of the event;
• A sports team participating in an event or league;
• A league whose teams are participating in an event;
• A theater company, a musical group, or any similar participant in an event; or
• An agent of any such person.

• Defines a “restrictive ticketing system” as a system that imposes license or contractual terms on the resale of event tickets, or that restrict the price or other term and conditions under which the ticket can be resold or transferred (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a restrictive ticketing system includes systems that employ technological means for the purpose of restricting or prohibiting the resale event tickets including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• Issuing event tickets in an electronic form so that they are not transferable;and
• Conditioning entry into a venue on presentation of a token such as the original purchaser’s credit card or identification card, which can not be transferred.

• Requires that a restrictive ticketing system adhere to the following conditions (Sec. 2):
• “Established face value price” for a ticket must be the same regardless of the ticket’s form or transferability; and
• “Reasonable” service charges or fees may be applied for a transferable ticket.

• Exempts event tickets from the provisions of this bill that are sold or given by a higher education institution to a student and can only be used by a student at an event sanctioned by the institution (Sec.2).

Full Bill Text