Kingsport Reporter

Companion legislation is set to be introduced in the House to enhance measures against ticket scalpers using advanced software. The bipartisan Mitigating Automated Internet Networks Event Ticketing Act, sponsored by Representatives Diana Harshbarger and Troy Carter, seeks to codify an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump aimed at holding ticket scalpers accountable.

This legislation mirrors efforts in the Senate by Marsha Blackburn and Ben Ray Luján, who are also pushing for the protection of fans in the live entertainment ticketing sector. Luján emphasized the challenge many Americans face saying, “Far too many Americans face excessive price-gouging for tickets from online bots and resellers, and I am committed to ensuring Americans can enjoy live entertainment without the fear of being scammed.”

The U.S. live concert and entertainment industry significantly impacts the economy, contributing $132.6 billion and supporting over 900,000 jobs. Ticket scalpers, using bots, acquire large volumes of tickets at face value and sell them at marked-up prices, profiting alongside ticketing agencies.

The forthcoming House bill aims to build on 2016 legislation signed by then-President Barack Obama. It proposes four key enhancements: mandatory reporting of bot attacks to the Federal Trade Commission by online sellers, creating a shared complaint database with the FTC and state attorneys general, distributing a report to Congress on the enforcement of the Better Online Ticket Sales Act, and requiring online sellers to implement data security measures while sharing information with the FTC and law enforcement.

Harshbarger underscored the unifying power of entertainment, stating, “If there’s one thing that can bring us all together, it’s music and entertainment.” She highlighted the challenge music fans face when buying tickets. “What no one loves is trying to buy a ticket to see your favorite performer — only to find that scalpers have scooped up most of the tickets and are reselling them at exorbitant prices,” she said.