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AB 1291

Ticket sellers: proof of purchase.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Alex Lee

Requires immediate electronic proof of purchase for ticket sales; venues must honor it if access fails, with refunds and clearer delivery and disclosure rules for sellers.

In committee: Hearing postponed by committee.
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Bill Summary · AB 1291

AB 1291 — Ticket sellers: proof of purchase

Author: Lee | Introduced: Feb 21, 2025
Status: In committee; hearing postponed (last action: 2025-05-23)

Purpose / Intent

AB 1291 (as amended) creates the "Fair Ticketing Practices Act" to strengthen consumer protections in primary and secondary ticket sales by (1) requiring immediate electronic proof of purchase at the time of sale, (2) ensuring venues honor that proof when a purchaser cannot access the ticket, (3) requiring timely electronic ticket delivery by primary sellers, and (4) expanding refund and disclosure obligations.

Key provisions

  • New chapter added to Business & Professions Code (Chapter 21.2; Sections beginning with 22513).
  • Definitions: establishes terms including “consumer,” “entertainment event,” “entertainment venue,” “proof of purchase” (electronic receipt that can be downloaded/saved and contains a unique identifier), “ticket seller” (includes primary contractors, secondary sellers, online marketplaces), and “venue operator.”
  • Proof of purchase:
    • Ticket seller must immediately deliver an electronic proof of purchase to the consumer at the time of sale.
    • A venue operator must accept that proof in lieu of the ticket if: (1) the consumer cannot access the ticket, (2) the proof is legitimate, (3) it links to a ticket for the event, and (4) the linked ticket has not already been used for admission.
  • Refunds:
    • Requires seller to fully refund the ticket price within 30 days after the event if the ticket is counterfeit, does not allow entry, fails to conform to the seller’s description, or was not delivered before the event (subject to specified exceptions).
  • Primary contractor obligations (notwithstanding an existing exemption):
    • For electronically delivered tickets, primary contractors (or their contracted sellers) must deliver the electronic ticket within 24 hours of purchase; if purchased less than 24 hours before the event, deliver “as soon as reasonably possible.”
    • Must clearly and conspicuously disclose, at web site, box office, and other original distribution points: total number of days reserved for the event at a venue, total number of tickets for sale during any public sale or presale, and ticket prices (as specified).
  • Enforcement and penalties:
    • Civil penalty up to $2,500 per violation. Each ticket sold without a proof or each proof not honored counts as a separate violation.
    • Enforcement actions may be brought by the Attorney General, district attorneys, county/city counsel, or city prosecutors. Prevailing public prosecutors may recover costs and attorney fees.
  • Fiscal note: Bill expands scope of existing crimes and is a state‑mandated local program; bill text states no state reimbursement required for specified reasons.

Who is affected

  • Consumers: increased protections when tickets are lost, inaccessible, counterfeit, or misdescribed.
  • Ticket sellers and primary contractors: operational requirements to immediately provide proofs of purchase, timely electronic ticket delivery, and expanded disclosure obligations.
  • Venue operators: obligation to honor valid proofs of purchase under specified conditions.
  • Online marketplaces and secondary sellers are explicitly included.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Referred to multiple Assembly committees (Arts, Entertainment, Sports & Tourism; Privacy & Consumer Protection; Judiciary; Appropriations).
  • Amended in committee and on Assembly floor; re-referred several times.
  • Latest legislative action: hearing postponed in committee on May 23, 2025. The bill remains under committee consideration (Appropriations suspense file noted on 2025-05-14).

Potential impacts (practical)

  • Likely reduces admission denials due to delivery failures and gives consumers a recoverable remedy when tickets are counterfeit or misdelivered.
  • Imposes compliance and disclosure costs on primary sellers, venue operators, and marketplaces (systems to generate unique, downloadable proofs and timely delivery).
  • May affect how presales, inventory counts, and pricing disclosures are managed publicly.

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

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