New Jersey Senate Bill S4031

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/26/23
• Refer: 6/26/23

Caption

Prohibits sale of tickets not in reseller's possession.

Impact

The implementation of SB 4031 will have a significant impact on how ticket reselling operates in New Jersey. By enforcing stricter rules around ownership at the point of sale, the bill will promote greater transparency and reduce the likelihood of fraud in the ticketing industry. Resellers will be required to provide guarantees of ticket validity and refunds in case of cancellation or issues with access. This legislative change marks a proactive step towards enhancing consumer confidence in ticket purchases, particularly for high-demand events.

Summary

Senate Bill 4031, introduced in New Jersey, seeks to amend existing laws governing the resale of tickets by prohibiting what is known as speculative ticketing. This practice allows resellers to sell tickets that they do not physically possess at the time of the sale, a situation that has raised concerns among consumers and legitimate resellers alike. The bill aims to enhance consumer protections by ensuring that when tickets are sold, they must be in the possession of the reseller, mitigating the risk of consumers purchasing tickets that may turn out to be counterfeit or invalid.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB 4031 revolve around the balance between consumer protection and the freedom of resellers to conduct business. Some industry advocates argue that the bill could restrict legitimate resale activities, particularly in scenarios where tickets are sold at a premium due to increased demand, effectively limiting the options available to consumers. The bill’s stipulations against the practice of speculative ticketing might also lead to criticism from secondary market platforms, which could be affected by these stringent regulations.