SB6175 — Describes the bill as addressing bots, deceptive ticket websites, all-in pricing, and legitimate transferability.
SB6175 — The sponsor reiterates that the bill protects legitimate ticket use and transfer and then public testimony is held for now.
SB6175 — The committee opens the public hearing for SB 6175.
SB6175 — The public hearing continues for SB 6175 with a one-minute testimony limit.
SB6175 — The witness supports the bill as common-sense legislation to protect artists, venues, and ticket-buying families.
SB6175 — The witness argues the bill is needed to curb excessive markups, speculative sales, and fraud.
SB6175 — The witness says the bill protects public and donated investments from private resale profit.
SB6175 — The witness closes by urging support for the bill.
SB6175 — Senate Bill 6175 is repeatedly supported during testimony as a measure that protects fans and venue patrons by prohibiting speculative tickets and deceptive websites, while bringing integrity and fairness to Washington’s ticket marketplace. Speakers emphasize that the bill is backed by Washingtonians, ticket buyers, and event producers, and the segment ends with the conclusion of public testimony on the bill.
Liz Lovelett — Liz Lovelett introduced herself as the senator from the 40th Legislative District and used her background in arts and culture to frame her remarks. She described owning a record store in Anacortes, how technology and industry changes affected brick-and-mortar music businesses, and noted that the business ultimately survived and remains thriving. She then connected that experience to the broader issue of ticketing workarounds that circumvent consumer protections, arguing that such practices harm fans, artists, and venues. Lovelett emphasized that arts venues are major economic drivers for Washington and illustrated her point with TLC as an example of how even successful artists can still face financial challenges.
Liz Lovelett — The witness repeatedly referenced Senator Liz Lovelett while discussing ticketing concerns, including her efforts to address problematic ticketing practices and her reaction to someone traveling to Hamilton. The discussion also included appreciation for Senator Lovelett’s leadership on the bill.
Perry Dozier — Addressed in opening remarks; likely a reference to Senator Perry Dozier.
Perry Dozier — The ranking member asks how grocery workers would observe surveillance pricing and where the information comes from.
Perry Dozier — Senator Dozier asks follow-up questions about the witness’s views on AI across the board and whether the industry should slow its adoption. The discussion then continues with an example of how AI could enable time-based price gouging, such as charging Senator Dozier more for shopping at 5:30 p.m. than at 9 a.m.
Jeff Wilson — The speaker twice thanks Senator Jeff Wilson for serving as a co-sponsor of the bill, acknowledging him as the bill’s number two co-sponsor.
Jeff Wilson — Prime sponsor introduces himself and explains why the rural county definition should be amended.
Phil Fortunato — Asks whether the bill prohibits legal resale of an existing ticket, distinguishing that from scalping.
Phil Fortunato — Senator Fortunato is identified as having a question and then follows up with questions about how resale pricing works for season tickets and how the bill would affect that pricing.
Phil Fortunato — Senator Fortunato asks whether the bill is focused on online sales and electronic price tags.
Phil Fortunato — Senator Phil Fortunato is identified as the sponsor of an amendment and asks/clarifies that the contribution involved would be voluntary. He then explains that Amendment A1 would allow local tourism boards to make voluntary contributions to the state tourism board. The amendment is subsequently opposed on the grounds that it would bring tax dollars into a self-assessment program.
SB6230 — The committee discusses Senate Bill 6230, which establishes a framework for rounding cash transactions to the nearest five-cent increment in anticipation of the U.S. penny being phased out. The bill specifies that rounding is applied to the final transaction amount after all taxes, fees, adjustments, and discounts. The sponsor explains that the measure is intended to give businesses a clear and predictable process, and a committee question is answered to confirm that rounding occurs after tax.
SB6230 — Senate Bill 6230 was discussed as a statewide policy addressing penny decirculation, with support expressed during testimony. The public testimony on the bill then concluded, and the committee moved on to testimony for another bill.
John Kim — Committee staff introduces SB 6230 and provides background.
Noel Frame — Introduces herself as a state senator from the 36th District and vice chair of finance and ways and means, supporting SB 6230.
Jill Barnes — Jill Barnes, executive director of the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, is introduced and then testifies in support of SB 6175 on behalf of the organization, emphasizing transparency and accountability in ticket sales.
Ron Jubitz — Ron Jubitz of the Music Artists Coalition is mentioned twice in the transcript as a remote testifier, with the chair attempting to introduce him during the meeting.
Josh LaBelle — Josh LaBelle of the Seattle Theater Group appears as a remote testifier and then provides his testimony, identifying himself as the executive director of Seattle Theater Group and speaking in support of the bill.
Ron Gubitz — He testified as executive director of the Music Artist Coalition and urged passage of the Wave Act.
Karen Hanan — Karen Hanan of Arts Washington was introduced as the next witness and then began her testimony as the director of Arts Washington/Washington State Arts Commission, thanking Senator Lovelett for her leadership.
Brian Young — Brian Young of the Sports Fans Coalition was introduced as a remote witness and then testified in opposition to the bill, arguing against its exclusion of sports tickets.
John Brault — John Brault of the National Consumers League was introduced multiple times as a remote witness, then testified in support of some provisions of SB 6175 while criticizing enforcement gaps.
Bob Hasegawa — Senator Hasegawa asked a question about the agency's position.
Stephen Ginsberg — Introduced as part of the next remote panel from Field Arts and Event Hall.
Kevin Erickson — Kevin Erickson of the Future of Music Coalition is introduced as part of the next remote panel, then testifies as a Yakima native and musician who now directs a nonprofit think tank advocating for musicians.
Charlie Reilly — Introduced as part of the next remote panel.
Steve Rader Ginsburg — Testified as executive and artistic director of Field Arts and Events Hall in Port Angeles, arguing that nonprofit arts organizations are being harmed by predatory secondary ticket resellers.
Charlie Robin — Charlie Robin is introduced as part of the next panel and then testifies as the CEO of the nonprofit that manages the historic Capitol Theater in Yakima.
Karen Erickson — Introduced as the next speaker, though the witness then appears to identify as Kevin Erickson.
Sean Ayush — Introduced as the next panel witness from StubHub.
Josh Stevens — Josh Stevens of Live Nation is introduced as a witness and then begins his testimony by identifying himself and stating that he is appearing on behalf of Live Nation, previewing requested technical amendments.
Ian Lee — Ian Lee of the Ticket Policy Forum is introduced and then testifies on behalf of the organization, opposing price caps and arguing that they can increase fraud.
Robert Singleton — Introduced as a witness from Chamber of Progress and told to be on deck.
Robert Singleton — Introduces himself as representing Chamber of Progress.
Robert Singleton — Robert Singleton of Chamber of Progress testified in opposition to the bill, arguing that it could harm Washington families by limiting pro-consumer practices and restricting consumer savings tools such as coupons and loyalty rewards.
Sean A. Ash — Testified on behalf of StubHub opposing SB 6175 and defending secondary ticket resale marketplaces.
SB6175 — SB 6175 is discussed as a bill that opponents say would harm families and constituents and goes beyond anti-bot reforms by imposing price caps and restricting ticket ownership and resale rights. A speaker from Live Nation asks for clarification on the bill’s price-cap language and cancellation-notice timing, while the broader discussion frames the bill as changing fans’ rights to resell tickets and limiting property rights.
SB6175 — Opposed as a bill that would restrict resale and transfer rights and reduce competition.
SB6175 — Described as prohibiting speculative tickets, while the witness argues consumers still need resale options.
SB6175 — Supported by the witness as a measure against ticket flipping.
SB6175 — Supported as a bill to stop speculative ticket flipping and protect venues and fans.