Requires ticket distributors to refund the purchase price of tickets within forty-five days after a cancelled or rescheduled event

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Amy Paulin

Requires ticket distributors to refund ticket purchases within 45 days after an event is cancelled or rescheduled.

REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Overview

Bill number: A 579

Title / purpose (as stated): Requires ticket distributors to refund the purchase price of tickets within forty-five days after a cancelled or rescheduled event.

Status: Referred to the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development.

Introduced: January 8, 2025

Primary sponsor: Assembly Member Amy Paulin

Key provisions (as indicated by the bill’s title)

Refund obligation: Ticket distributors would be required to refund the purchase price of tickets within 45 days after an event is canceled or rescheduled.

Scope of application: The measure targets “ticket distributors” operating within the state (i.e., entities that sell tickets to events). The exact definitional scope (e.g., platforms, venues, promoters) is not provided in the summary available.

Timing for refunds: The 45-day refund window begins following the event’s cancellation or a decision to reschedule the event, per the bill’s stated intent.

Who would be affected

Consumers: Individuals who purchase tickets to events would gain a guaranteed refund window of 45 days in the event of cancellation or rescheduling.

Ticket distributors: Companies and platforms that sell tickets would be obligated to process refunds within the specified timeframe, potentially affecting their refund workflows and cash management.

Event organizers/hosts: Could experience changes in how refunds are routed and in coordination with ticket sellers.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Current stage: The bill has been referred to the Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development committee. No further committee actions or floor votes are listed in the provided information.

Legislative actions noted: The bill was listed twice on the same date (January 8, 2025) as referred to the committee, which appears to be a clerical duplication in the record.

Related legislation: A 6195 and A 2595 are noted as prior-session related bills, suggesting similar or precursor proposals addressing refunds or consumer protections in ticketing.

Additional notes

The summary provided does not include detailed definitions, penalties for noncompliance, consumer caveats (e.g., handling of service fees), or specific implementation timelines beyond the 45-day refund requirement. If enacted, the bill would likely require accompanying regulations or guidance to define “ticket distributors,” clarify exceptions, and specify enforcement mechanisms.

Why this bill matters (context)

The measure seeks to strengthen consumer protections in the events industry by guaranteeing refunds within a set period after cancellation or rescheduling. supporters would argue it provides predictable relief for ticket buyers; opponents might raise concerns about liquidity and operational burden on ticket distributors. Further committee analysis would clarify definitions, enforcement, and any transitional provisions.

Bill