What's happening
This bill makes it illegal to resell tickets that were originally offered to the public for free.
Why it matters
Prevents profiteering from free events. By making it illegal to resell tickets that were originally distributed at no charge, the bill aims to stop individuals or companies from turning a profit on tickets intended to be freely accessible to the public.
Protects fair access for the public. This measure helps ensure that free events—such as community concerts, museum days, or public lectures—remain accessible to everyone, rather than being scooped up and resold by scalpers to those willing or able to pay.
Targets ticket scalping loopholes. The bill addresses a gap in existing ticket resale laws, specifically focusing on situations where “free” tickets are being exploited in secondary markets, which can undermine the intent of organizers who want events to be open and inclusive.
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Who cares
Ticket resellers and brokers
The bill would prohibit them from selling or offering to resell tickets initially offered to the public at no charge.
Entertainment venues and event organizers
The ban would cover tickets and other proof of entry to their events when initially offered to the public for free.
Fans seeking free admission
The bill would prohibit resale offers for tickets that were initially offered to the public at no charge.
Headline styles
Ban Ticket Resale for Free Events
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Committed to rules
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.500
- Referred to investigations and government operations
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 Assembly Committee · Tourism, Parks, Arts And Sports Development · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2003
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 18, 2019
Introduced by Sen. HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations
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.
LBD00257-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the arts and cultural affairs law, in relation to the resale of tickets issued at no charge
Summary of provisions
Section 1 makes it unlawful to resell any ticket to an event originally offered to the public at no charge.
Justification
There have been numerous reports of unscrupulous ticket scalpers in New York State obtaining tickets that were originally offered for free and reselling them for profit to the highest bidder. Events affected by such practices include shows such as Shakespeare in the Park put on by the Public Theater in New York City, and even a procession through Central Park by Pope Francis in 2014.
The intent behind offering free tickets to events is to preserve the right of all members of the public to enjoy those events, no matter their means. When ticket scalpers look to turn a profit by taking a free ticket to a desirable event and reselling it for an exorbitant markup, it contravenes the entire purpose of making an event free and accessible in the first place. New York State should prohibit this unfair practice.
Legislative history
2018: S.7011-B (Hoylman) - Died in Investigations and Government Oper- ations 2017: S.7011-B of 2018 (Hoylman): Died in Committee 2016: S571/A8508 - REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS/ referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development 2015: S571/A8508 - REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS/ referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development 2013-2014: S838/A9637 - REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPER- ATIONS
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the forty-fifth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.