What's happening
This bill prohibits the resale of event tickets that were originally distributed to the public for free.
Why it matters
Prevents profit from free tickets. By making it illegal to resell tickets that were originally given away for free, the bill aims to stop individuals or businesses from profiting off events intended to be accessible at no cost, such as charity events, community performances, or promotional giveaways.
Protects fair public access. This legislation seeks to ensure that free tickets reach their intended recipients—often fans, community members, or underserved groups—instead of being scooped up and resold, which could limit access for those who might benefit most from free admission.
Targets scalping and secondary markets. The bill directly impacts the secondary ticket market, making it harder for ticket scalpers to exploit free ticket distributions by reselling them at inflated prices, potentially deterring bulk acquisition of free tickets for profit.
Supports event organizers’ intentions. By prohibiting resale, the law reinforces the original intent of organizers who choose to offer free entry, helping maintain goodwill and the spirit of inclusivity or promotion that free admission is meant to foster.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Free Ticket Resale
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Print number 4612b
- Amend (t) and recommit to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Print number 4612a
- Amend (t) and recommit to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Free Ticket Resale
In Senate Committee · Investigations And Government Operations · Sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4612--B
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 3, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CUSICK -- read once and referred to the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development -- recommitted to the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development in accordance with Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -again reported from said committee with amendments, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the arts and cultural affairs law, in relation to the resale of tickets issued at no charge
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The arts and cultural affairs law is amended by adding a new section 25.06 to read as follows:
§ 25.06. Resale of tickets issued at no charge. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to resell or offer to resell any ticket or other evidence of right of entry to any place of entertainment if the ticket was initially offered to the public at no charge.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the forty-fifth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that section 25.06 of the arts and cultural affairs law, as added by section one of this act, shall survive the expiration and reversion of article 25 of such law as provided in section 4 of chapter 704 of the laws of 1991, as amended.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00529-05-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.