National Consumers League Calls on Congress to Include TICKET Act in Continuing Resolution
December 16, 2024
National Consumers League Calls on Congress to Include TICKET Act in Continuing Resolution
Contact: National Consumers League – Lisa McDonald, lisam@nclnet.org, 202-207-2829
WASHINGTON, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL), America’s oldest consumer and worker advocacy organization, is urging Congress to include the bipartisan TICKET Act (H.R. 3950) in any Continuing Resolution (CR) passed this session. The TICKET Act represents the most significant live event ticketing reform in nearly a decade, addressing key concerns in the live event marketplace for all stakeholders.
Key provisions of the TICKET Act include:
- Banning hidden fees through all-in pricing requirements.
- Prohibiting speculative ticketing and other deceptive marketing practices.
- Requiring refunds for canceled and postponed events.
- Commissioning an FTC study on enforcement of the BOTS Act.
Earlier this year, the TICKET Act passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support (388–24) and gained endorsements from a broad coalition of stakeholders, including the, Consumer Reports, Artist Rights Alliance, Recording Academy, Live Nation/Ticketmaster (LNE), Coalition for Ticket Fairness, Vivid Seats, StubHub, and the National Independent Venue Association and other consumer groups.
Despite previously supporting the bill, the Fix the Tix Coalition—has backed away from the bill. We think that is misguided.
“The TICKET Act is a hard-fought compromise and, we believe, Congress’ best chance to deliver meaningful reforms that benefit fans, venues, and artists as early as next summer’s concert season,” said John Breyault, NCL’s Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud. “We are disappointed that groups that had previously supported the bill have reversed themselves, though the bill has not significantly changed since they originally endorsed it. We are concerned that Ticketmaster/Live Nation, which owns primary and secondary ticketing platforms, manages hundreds of artists and owns, controls, or has exclusive contracts with hundreds of venues, may be exerting undue influence at the expense of consumers. Congress should resist special interests, and stand up for consumers by including this package of positive reforms in the CR.”
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