SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5763

           AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, MARCH 6, 1991

Brief Description:  Regulating the sale and resale of admission tickets.

SPONSORS:Senator Talmadge.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5763 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; Erwin, L. Kreidler, Rasmussen, and A. Smith. 

Staff:  Richard Rodger (786‑7461)

Hearing Dates:March 5, 1991; March 6, 1991

BACKGROUND:

There are no state laws that regulate the sale or resale of admission tickets.  It is suggested that regulations are necessary to keep the public fully informed as to the price of such tickets and protect the public from the practice of ticket scalping.

SUMMARY:

It is a misdemeanor to sell an admission ticket for a price higher than the advertised price.  The advertised ticket prices must include all handling, service, or other convenience charges.  All written ticket advertisements must include the advertised price of prices.

A commercial ticket reseller may only sell tickets with the original price and the name of the event's sponsor printed on the ticket.  The reseller may not sell or offer to sell the ticket at a price above the advertised price.

A "commercial ticket reseller" is defined as any person or business who purchases tickets for the purpose of reselling them at a price higher than the box office price.

The Consumer Protection Act applies to all admission ticket violations.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A commercial ticket reseller is a person or entity who, in the normal course of business, purchases tickets for resale.  The entire purchase price of an admission ticket must be refunded for cancelled events.  Only commercial ticket resellers are required to include the ticket prices in their written advertisements.  The broad prohibition against ticket scalping is eliminated.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill is well-intentioned.  However, the scope of the bill is too broad.  Event promoters should not be required to publish prices in all advertisements.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Becky Bogard, Ackerly Communications