88R23204 MLH-D
By: Guerra, Longoria, Bernal, Allison, H.B. No. 1497
Stucky, et al.
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1497:
By: Cole C.S.H.B. No. 1497
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring the disclosure of taxes and fees charged for
the sale of concert and other event tickets.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 6, Business & Commerce Code, is amended by
adding Chapter 205 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 205. DISCLOSURE OF TAXES AND FEES FOR EVENT TICKETS
Sec. 205.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Event" means a concert, theatrical performance,
sporting event, exhibition, show, or similar scheduled activity
that:
(A) is open to the public;
(B) is held in a public or private venue; and
(C) requires payment of an admission fee to
attend the activity.
(2) "Ticket website" means an Internet website or
mobile application advertising or offering the sale of tickets, or
offering tickets for resale, to an event in this state.
(3) "Venue" means an arena, stadium, theater, concert
hall, or other place used for events.
Sec. 205.002. DISCLOSURE OF TAXES AND FEES. (a) A person
that sells or resells tickets for a concert or other event in this
state, including the operator of a ticket website, must disclose in
a clear and conspicuous manner to a potential ticket purchaser
before the purchaser selects the ticket for purchase:
(1) the total cost of the ticket purchase, including:
(A) all taxes and fees charged in connection with
the sale of a ticket for the event; and
(B) a disclosure of who ultimately receives money
from each tax or fee; and
(2) the portion of the total cost, stated in dollars
and as a percentage, of the ticket purchase that is represented by
taxes and fees.
(b) The total price of event tickets made available for sale
on a ticket website, including taxes and fees charged in connection
with the sale and the disclosure of who ultimately receives money
from a tax or fee, must be posted on the website in a location easily
accessible by a ticket purchaser or potential ticket purchaser
before the ticket purchaser or potential ticket purchaser selects a
ticket for purchase.
(c) A print or electronic advertisement for a ticket for an
event in this state must:
(1) include the total cost of the ticket, including
all taxes and fees charged in connection with the sale of the
ticket; and
(2) display any taxes and fees charged in the same size
and with equal prominence as the cost of the ticket, excluding any
taxes or fees charged.
Sec. 205.003. CONSTRUCTION OF CHAPTER. This chapter may
not be construed to nullify, expand, or otherwise affect any other
law relating to the sale of a ticket for an event.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.