Amd S25.29, Arts & Cul L; amd S4, Chap 704 of 1991
Prohibits service charges in sales of theater tickets in certain circumstances; removes expiration of (Chapter 704 of the laws of 1991) provisions relating to sale of theater tickets; prohibits exclusive contracts with ticket agents by operators of entertainment venues which are publicly owned or which receive direct or indirect public support.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A797
SPONSOR: Weprin (MS) TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the arts and cultural affairs law, in
relation to unlawful charges in connection with tickets and to amend
chapter 704 of the laws of 1991, amending the arts and cultural affairs
law and chapter 912 of the laws of 1920 relating to the regulation of
boxing and wrestling, relating to tickets to places of entertainment, in
relation to removing the expiration of provisions regulating the sale of
theater tickets
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA: To prohibit the operator of any place of
entertainment which has a seating capacity of over 3,500 from accepting
a rebate on tickets sold. An exception is made for municipally owned
venues.
EFFECTS OF PRESENT LAW WHICH THIS BILL WOULD ALTER: No such provision
currently exists.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: §25.29 of the arts and cultural
affairs law is amended to prohibit the operator of any place of enter-
tainment which has a seating capacity of over 3,500 from accepting a
rebate on tickets sold. An exception is made for municipally owned
venues.
JUSTIFICATION: Ticket agents charge consumers a service charge on top
of a ticket's face value. Very often, a portion of that service charge
is then "kicked back" to the venue which is hosting the entertainment.
Since the majority of tickets for an event are often available only
through a ticketing agent, the result is higher prices for consumers.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: A.9424 (1996), A.390-A (1997-98), A.909
(1999-2000), A.1319-A (2001-02), A1253 (2003-04), A3625 (2005-06).
A.4045 (2007-2008). A.5071 (2009-10).
01/12/11 referred to tourism, parks, art and sports development
01/04/12 referred to tourism, parks, art and sports development
FISCAL IMPLICATION FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: None.
EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately, and shall be deemed to be in full force
and effect on or after April 1 of the year next succeeding the year in
which this act shall have become law, provided however, that the amend-
ments to section 4 of chapter 704 of the laws of 1991 made by section
two of this act shall be deemed to be in full force and effect on and
after October 1, 1991.
