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SD 521

An Act relative to the fair distribution and pricing of event tickets

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul McMurtry and 1 co-sponsor

Mass. bill bans pre-selling event tickets to resellers and bars software that restricts public sales in first 24 hours, aiming to curb scalping and boost fair access.

House concurred
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 521

Summary: An Act relative to the fair distribution and pricing of event tickets (SD 521)

Overview

This Massachusetts bill, introduced February 27, 2025 and currently noted as having House concurrence, seeks to promote fair distribution and pricing of event tickets in the Commonwealth. It adds a new statutory provision (Section 185J) to Chapter 140 and targets the relationships among ticket issuers, ticket resellers, and the software used to purchase tickets.

Key provisions

  • New section added: Section 185J (a) defines several terms and their scope:
    • “Event ticket” includes any certificate, document, voucher, or token for concerts, theater, sports, exhibitions, or similar activity in Massachusetts.
    • “Software” means computer programs primarily designed to purchase tickets for resale on the secondary market.
    • “Ticket issuer” refers to the entity that makes tickets available to the general public in the primary market.
    • “Ticket reseller” covers any transfer or sale of an event ticket to another person, regardless of payment, including via electronic means; this does not include the initial sale by the ticket issuer.
  • Prohibitions:
    • A ticket issuer shall not pre-sell any event tickets to a ticket reseller for the purpose of selling them in the secondary market.
    • A ticket reseller is prohibited from using software or other technology to restrict the sale of event tickets to the general public within 24 hours after tickets go on sale.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage.

Who/what would be affected

  • Ticket issuers (venues, promoters, and primary sellers) would be prohibited from pre-marketing or allocating tickets to resellers prior to the public sale.
  • Ticket resellers (secondary market participants) would be restricted from deploying software or technology that limits public access to tickets within the first 24 hours of their sale.
  • Consumers could benefit from reduced early-access scalping and potentially more equitable access to tickets in the initial sale window.

Legislative and procedural context

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025; filed January 13, 2025.
  • Committee: Referred to the Senate committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure; status indicates House concurrence.
  • Prior related measure: Similar matter filed in a previous session (Senate No. 215 of 2023-2024).

Notes

  • The text provided does not specify penalties, enforcement mechanisms, or exemptions beyond the defined prohibitions.
  • The bill focuses on fair distribution rather than price controls, though narrowing early access could influence resale pricing dynamics.

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

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