Bill · S. 196· Senate(119-S-196)
MAIN Event Ticketing Act
- Introduced
- 1/22/2025
- Last activity
- 9/2/2025 — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 144.
- Sponsored by
- Marsha Blackburn
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 1
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Mitigating Automated Internet Networks for Event Ticketing Act, or the MAIN Event Ticketing Act, aims to improve online ticket sales and consumer protection. It amends the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 to target the use of automated applications that circumvent security measures to purchase event tickets. The bill requires online ticket issuers to implement and maintain access control systems to enforce purchasing limits. It also mandates that these issuers report known incidents of circumvention to the Commission within 30 days. Furthermore, it establishes protocols for law enforcement coordination and provides the Commission with authority to pursue civil actions.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?+7
The bill strengthens consumer protections by banning the use of automated applications to circumvent ticket purchasing limits.
Does this better protect the country from computer attacks?+5
The bill enhances cybersecurity by requiring ticket issuers to implement safeguards against cyberattacks and coordinate with law enforcement.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+4
By preventing bots from buying up tickets, the bill increases the likelihood that more people can access tickets at face value.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection against automated purchasing: The bill targets the use of software applications that perform automated tasks to bypass security measures and purchase tickets, which helps protect the integrity of online ticket purchasing order rules (Section 2(a)(1)(C)).
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Enhanced site security and enforcement: Online ticket issuers are required to establish and maintain access control systems and technological measures to enforce posted event ticket purchasing limits (Section s 2(b)(1)(A)).
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Increased accountability through reporting: Issuers must report any known incidents of circumvention to the Commission within 30 days, ensuring that violations are documented (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
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Consumer recourse: The Commission is tasked with creating a website to allow individuals to report violations of the Act (Section 2(b)(2)(B)).
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Improved information sharing: The bill facilitates coordination between the Commission and law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and the Department of Justice, to share information regarding cyberattacks on ticketing security systems (Section 2(e)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial penalties for issuers: Violators may face significant civil penalties, including at least $10,000 per day for ongoing violations, an additional $1,000 per violation, and up to $10,000 more for intentional violations (Section 2(c)(4)).
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Litigation risks: The Commission has the authority to bring civil actions in federal court to recover penalties and seek injunctive relief against those violating the Act (Section 2(c)(3)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Urban Residents+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Consumer Protection+7
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Cybersecurity Defense+5
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- 9/2/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-57.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 144.
- 4/30/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 1/22/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico