TICKET Act

Bill Number: H.R. 1402
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Commerce
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-09-16: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 163.
Last Updated: 2026-07-10T20:38:21Z

AI-Generated Summary

Summary of H.R. 1402: Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act (TICKET Act)

Purpose

This legislation aims to protect consumers by mandating clear disclosure of all ticket costs and fees for live events, prohibiting the sale of tickets that sellers do not possess, and establishing rules for refunds on canceled or postponed events.

Key Provisions

Price Disclosure Requirements: Starting 180 days after enactment, ticket sellers must display the full ticket price (including all fees) in ads and during the buying process, and provide an itemized breakdown of the base price and fees before purchase completion.
Ban on Speculative Ticketing: Sellers without actual or constructive possession of a ticket cannot sell, offer, or advertise it. Secondary sellers may offer a service to obtain tickets but must clearly separate it from actual tickets and disclose that it does not guarantee a ticket.
Resale and Affiliation Disclosures: Resellers must state they are selling secondary tickets. They cannot falsely claim affiliation with venues, teams, or artists, or use venue names in URLs without authorization.
Refund Rules: For canceled events, full refunds are required. For postponed events, options include refunds or replacement tickets (with time-based rules for delays over 6 months). Sellers must disclose refund policies and how to claim refunds before purchase.
FTC Reporting and Enforcement: The Federal Trade Commission must report to Congress within 6 months on enforcement of the 2016 Better Online Ticket Sales Act, including challenges and recommendations. Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive practices under FTC authority.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This Act expands on the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 by adding mandatory all-in pricing, a ban on selling non-possessed tickets, specific refund obligations, and restrictions on secondary market practices. It introduces new federal standards for transparency and consumer protections in ticket sales, shifting from prior voluntary or state-level approaches.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The FTC gains enforcement duties, including investigating violations and producing a required report, potentially increasing its workload in consumer protection.
On Citizens: Consumers benefit from upfront pricing information, reduced risk of hidden fees, clearer refund options, and safeguards against misleading sales practices.
On International Relations: No direct impacts identified, as the bill focuses on domestic interstate commerce in event ticketing.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Ticket issuers and secondary market platforms or exchanges.
Consumers purchasing tickets for events.
Event venues, artists, teams, and promoters.
The Federal Trade Commission as the primary enforcer.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill relies on existing FTC powers under the Federal Trade Commission Act to treat violations as unfair practices, applying to interstate commerce without creating new regulatory bodies. It may raise questions about federal preemption of state ticket laws, but the text does not address constitutional issues such as interstate commerce limits or free speech in advertising. Enforcement includes standard penalties and immunities from the FTC Act.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Goldman, Craig [R-TX-12]

Recent Actions

2025-09-16: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 163.
2025-04-30: Received in the Senate.
2025-04-29: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-04-29: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 15 (Roll no. 107). (text: 04/28/2025 CR H1640-1641) (Roll call 107)
2025-04-29: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 409 - 15 (Roll no. 107). (text: 04/28/2025 CR H1640-1641) (Roll call 107)
2025-04-29: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1706)
2025-04-28: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2025-04-28: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1402.
2025-04-28: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1640)
2025-04-28: Mr. Bilirakis moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
2025-04-24: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 43.
2025-04-24: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-66.
2025-04-24: Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-66.
2025-04-08: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
2025-04-08: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

Bill Versions

Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act — issued 2025-04-29 — PDF (12 pages)
Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act — issued 2025-02-18 — PDF (10 pages)
Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (12 pages)
Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act — issued 2025-04-24 — PDF (12 pages)