S.281 - Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act; TICKET Act (119th Congress)
Summary
S.281, the TICKET Act, aims to increase transparency and fairness in the event ticket market. It requires full price disclosure, bans speculative ticketing, mandates clear refund policies, and directs the FTC to report on enforcement of the BOTS Act of 2016. The bill seeks to protect consumers from hidden fees and deceptive practices in ticket sales.
The act focuses on ticket issuers, secondary market ticket issuers, and secondary market ticket exchanges. It defines key terms like 'total event ticket price' and 'event ticket fee' to ensure clarity and prevent loopholes.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a more transparent and equitable marketplace for event tickets, benefiting consumers and promoting fair competition.
Expected Effects
The TICKET Act will likely lead to more transparent pricing in the event ticket market. Consumers will see the full price of tickets upfront, including all fees, preventing surprise costs at checkout. Speculative ticketing, where tickets are sold without possession, will be prohibited.
Refund policies will be standardized and clearly disclosed, giving consumers more protection when events are canceled or postponed. The FTC's report on BOTS Act enforcement may lead to stronger measures against illegal ticket bot activity.
These changes will likely shift the balance of power in the ticket market, giving consumers more information and protection against unfair practices.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Transparency: Consumers will see the full ticket price upfront, including all fees.
- Protection from Speculative Ticketing: The ban on selling tickets without possession reduces the risk of scams.
- Standardized Refund Policies: Clear refund policies provide recourse for canceled or postponed events.
- Fairer Pricing: Disclosure requirements may lead to more competitive and reasonable ticket prices.
- Stronger Enforcement: The FTC report could lead to better enforcement against illegal ticket bots.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Higher Upfront Prices: Full price disclosure may make tickets seem more expensive initially, even if the total cost remains the same.
- Compliance Costs: Ticket issuers may incur costs to comply with the new disclosure and refund requirements.
- Limited Impact on Demand: The act does not address the underlying issue of high demand and limited ticket availability.
- Possible Circumvention: Secondary markets might find ways to circumvent the rules, requiring ongoing monitoring and enforcement.
- FTC Report Limitations: The FTC report's effectiveness depends on the actions taken after its publication.
Constitutional Alignment
The TICKET Act primarily relies on the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. The act regulates the sale of event tickets, which often involves interstate transactions, thus falling under Congress's authority.
The act does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights. It does not restrict freedom of speech, religion, or assembly. Instead, it focuses on regulating commercial activities to prevent unfair or deceptive practices.
Therefore, the TICKET Act appears to be constitutionally sound, as it falls within the scope of Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce and does not violate any fundamental 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).