Generally revise laws relating to ticket sales
SB 484 would revise Montana law governing ticket sales for entertainment events by capping the amount that may be charged above the printed ticket price. Under the bill, a person could not sell or attempt to sell admission to an event such as a concert, sporting event, theater performance, arena show, or other public amusement at more than the ticket’s printed price plus tax, except for a service charge for services actually rendered that does not exceed $3 or 10% of the printed price, whichever is greater. The bill also allows the owner or operator of the venue to authorize higher resale or sale prices in writing, so long as the authorization specifies the permitted price.
The bill would create a misdemeanor offense for violating these ticket pricing limits and authorize a fine of up to $1,000 per offense. It would be codified into Title 30, chapter 14, part 2, meaning it would become part of Montana’s existing statutory framework governing business and consumer-related practices. In practical terms, the measure would affect ticket sellers, brokers, venues, and event operators by limiting add-on charges and setting a clear ceiling on service fees unless the venue expressly approves a higher price.
The general sentiment reflected in the available legislative history appears mixed to negative for the bill’s progress, as it was tabled in the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee by a 9-3 vote and later died in process. That outcome suggests the proposal did not generate enough support to advance, even though the bill’s stated purpose was to limit ticket-related fees and protect consumers from excessive charges.
The main point of contention is likely the bill’s restriction on pricing flexibility for ticket sellers and intermediaries, especially in the secondary ticket market and among businesses that rely on service fees. Supporters would likely view the measure as a consumer protection against hidden or inflated fees, while opponents may have been concerned that the cap was too rigid, could interfere with legitimate business practices, or would be difficult to apply across different types of events and sales channels. The written-authorization exception for venue owners suggests an attempt to preserve some pricing discretion, but the committee vote indicates that was not enough to overcome concerns.
SB 484 would add a new misdemeanor-based restriction on ticket sales by limiting the total price that may be charged above the printed ticket price for entertainment events, while allowing venue owners or operators to authorize higher prices in writing. It would affect sellers, brokers, venues, and event operators by capping service charges and tying the rule to Title 30, chapter 14, part 2 of Montana law, thereby expanding consumer-protection-style regulation of ticket pricing and resale practices.
The available legislative history suggests the bill faced resistance and did not advance. It was tabled in the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee by a 9-3 vote and ultimately died in process, indicating that a majority of the committee was not persuaded to move it forward. The bill’s consumer-protection rationale likely had some support, but not enough to overcome concerns about its practical effects on ticket sales and fee structures.
The central controversy is whether the state should cap ticket-related service charges and limit prices to the amount printed on the ticket, plus a small fee, or whether sellers and venues should retain more flexibility to set prices and recover costs. Supporters would likely emphasize transparency and protection against excessive fees, while opponents may have viewed the measure as too restrictive for legitimate ticketing businesses, event promoters, and resale markets. The written venue-authorization exception appears designed to address some of those concerns, but the committee’s decision to table the bill suggests that pricing control and market impact remained significant objections.