Senate File 146 - Reprinted SENATE FILE 146 BY COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY (SUCCESSOR TO SF 49) (As Amended and Passed by the Senate February 11, 2025 ) A BILL FOR An Act relating to the use or creation of bots to purchase 1 event tickets on the internet, and providing civil 2 penalties. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 SF 146 (2) 91 dg/jh/mb
S.F. 146 Section 1. NEW SECTION . 554I.1 Definitions. 1 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise 2 requires: 3 1. Authorized entry means authorization to enter an event 4 based solely on the ticket holders possession of a ticket not 5 obtained in violation of section 554I.2. Authorized entry 6 does not mean authorization to enter an event based on the 7 source of purchase or fulfillment method of the ticket. 8 2. Bot means an automated software program that performs 9 automatic and repetitive tasks and is designed to impersonate 10 or replicate human activity on the internet. Bot does not 11 include autofill or password management features built into 12 an internet browser or provided through separate internet 13 software. 14 3. Event means a concert, theatrical performance, sporting 15 event, exhibition, show, or similar scheduled activity that is 16 all of the following: 17 a. Open to the public. 18 b. Held in a public or private venue. 19 c. Requires payment of an admission fee to attend the event. 20 4. Ticket means a physical or electronic certificate, 21 voucher, document, token, or other evidence of a right for 22 admission to enter an event at one or more specified dates and 23 times. 24 Sec. 2. NEW SECTION . 554I.2 Internet ticket sales. 25 A person shall not use or create a bot to do any of the 26 following: 27 1. Purchase tickets in excess of the posted limit for any 28 one internet ticket sale. 29 2. Use multiple internet protocol addresses, purchaser 30 accounts, or electronic mail addresses to purchase tickets in 31 excess of the posted limit for any one internet ticket sale. 32 3. Circumvent or disable an electronic queue, waiting 33 period, presale code, or other sales volume limitation system 34 associated with an internet ticket sale. 35 -1- SF 146 (2) 91 dg/jh/mb 1/ 2
S.F. 146 4. Circumvent or disable a security measure, access control 1 system, or other control or measure that is used to facilitate 2 authorized entry to an event. 3 Sec. 3. NEW SECTION . 554I.3 Reporting violations. 4 1. A ticket seller shall report known violations of this 5 chapter to the attorney general within five calendar days of 6 becoming aware of the violation. 7 2. An individual that has knowledge of a violation of this 8 chapter may report the violation to the attorney general. 9 3. The attorney general shall establish an electronic 10 reporting system for the submission of reports pursuant to this 11 section. 12 Sec. 4. NEW SECTION . 554I.4 Enforcement penalties. 13 1. If the attorney general has reasonable belief that a 14 person is in violation of this chapter, the attorney general 15 has the sole authority to bring civil action to provide for all 16 of the following: 17 a. Enjoinment of further violations by the person. 18 b. Enforcement of compliance with this chapter. 19 c. Assessment of civil penalties in an amount not more than 20 ten thousand dollars for each violation of this chapter. 21 d. Other remedies permitted under law. 22 2. If the attorney general has reasonable belief that a 23 person is in violation of an injunction issued under this 24 section, the attorney general has the sole authority to bring 25 civil action to provide for civil penalties in an amount not 26 more than one hundred thousand dollars. 27 -2- SF 146 (2) 91 dg/jh/mb 2/ 2