ASSEMBLY REGULATED PROFESSIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3194

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 13, 2021

     The Assembly Regulated Professions Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3194.

     This bill, the “New Jersey Ticket Consumer Choice Act,” would guarantee the right of New Jersey ticket purchasers to opt-out of ticket restrictions that limit their ability to use, sell, or give away the tickets they have purchased. 

     Specifically, this bill allows ticket issuers to sell tickets through a ticketing system that restricts the rights of consumers to resell their tickets only if, at the time of the initial sale, the consumer is offered the option to purchase the same ticket in a form not subject to restrictions by the issuer. Issuers would be permitted, however, to sell or give away tickets in a non-transferable form in the context of targeted promotions or private events. 

     The bill prohibits any penalty or discrimination against a ticket holder solely because the ticket was resold or because of the specific ticket platform on which the ticket was resold.  The bill provides for the recognition of the rights of issuers and venue owners and operators to institute policies governing overall operation of entertainment events and ticket sales.  Finally, the bill removes the existing statutory caps on the resale prices of tickets. 

     The consumer choice provisions of this bill protecting the right of ticket purchasers to resell their tickets have been in effect in New York State for six years.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments remove section 5, thereby leaving intact the current statutory caps on the resale prices of tickets.