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Bill

S 211

Ad Valorem tax

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shane Massey and 1 co-sponsor

The bill requires a state license to resell or facilitate resale of tickets to licensed events, governing both direct resellers and multi-party resale platforms.

Referred to Committee on Finance
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Bill Summary · S 211

Summary — S.211 (Massachusetts) — “An Act to facilitate the purchase of certain event tickets”

Note on source materials: the provided documents contain conflicting metadata (a federal-style sponsor list and a different bill title referencing Lake Ontario flooding). This summary is based on the actual bill text and docket information filed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Senate Docket No. 1392 / S.211, presented by Senator John J. Cronin).

Purpose / Intent

The bill amends Massachusetts General Laws to regulate the resale (and facilitation of resale) of tickets for licensed theatrical exhibitions, public shows, and other public amusements. The statute change is declared an emergency law so it takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 185A of Chapter 140 of the General Laws by replacing subsection (a) with a new provision.
  • New subsection (a) provides that:
    • No person may engage in the business of reselling tickets to any theatrical exhibition, public show or public amusement required to be licensed under sections 181 and 182 or under chapter 128A, without being licensed by the Commissioner of Occupational Licensure.
    • The prohibition also covers facilitating a mechanism for two or more parties to participate in the resale of any ticket, whether the resale occurs on or off the premises where the ticket is used.
  • Emergency preamble: the act declares that immediate implementation is necessary for the public convenience.

Who would be affected

  • Primary: ticket resellers and brokers who buy and resell admission tickets for licensed theatrical/public exhibitions in Massachusetts.
  • Secondary: platforms or services that facilitate multi-party resale transactions (marketplaces, resale features on ticketing platforms).
  • Potentially affected: organizations that exhibit and sell their own tickets (venues and nonprofits) — the preamble references removing regulatory burdens for such entities, but the operative text establishes a licensing requirement; whether routine on-site box office sales by producers/venues are exempt will depend on regulatory interpretation or additional statutory language.

Procedural status / timeline

  • Introduced in the Massachusetts Senate: 01/16/2025 (docketed 1392), presented by Sen. John J. Cronin.
  • Legislative actions include referrals to committees (Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure; Energy and Natural Resources; also appears twice as referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs in the record).
  • Hearing scheduled: 06/02/2025 (per docket).
  • Labeled an emergency law in the bill text (intended to take effect immediately upon enactment).

Notes and next steps

  • The bill text imposes a licensing requirement for ticket resale/facilitation. However, the preamble language claiming the act “removes regulatory burdens” appears inconsistent with the principal text; further drafting or committee reports may clarify exemptions (for venue/self-sale by nonprofits) or licensing thresholds.
  • Because metadata contained conflicting sponsor lists and titles, verify the official enrolled bill and any committee amendments to confirm scope, exemptions, enforcement mechanisms, penalties, and implementation timeline before drawing final conclusions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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