Lawmakers propose ticket resale price caps in California and New York

Two state lawmakers are pushing bills to kill massive ticket markups, with California targeting a 10% cap and New York proposing zero resale profit allowed.

Assembly member Matt Haney introduced the California Fans First Act

• Haney filed the bill last Thursday in the California state legislature.
• The measure would ban concert ticket resales above 10% of face value.
• Live events like concerts, comedy shows, and theatrical productions are covered.
• Sporting events are excluded from the proposed legislation entirely.

Ticket buyers are paying more than double on the secondary market

• Some tickets with face values under $80 resold for over $1,000.
• Professional scalpers and bots buy up tickets in seconds, Haney claims.
• The bill aims to put the concert experience back with fans.
• Haney chairs the Committee on Downtown Recovery in the assembly.

Senator James Skoufis wants New York resale prices capped at face value

• The proposed amendments would allow zero markup on resold tickets whatsoever.
• The total resale price cannot exceed the initial ticket price with all fees.
• Skoufis is also calling for a cap on ticketing fees overall.
• The senator wants to ban speculative ticketing by brokers entirely.

Maine is the only US jurisdiction with a resale price cap

• The UK government announced plans to ban above-price resales in November 2025.
• Over 130 signatories backed an EU letter about unauthorized ticket resale.
• The Digital Fairness Act is under development to strengthen consumer protections.
• Signatories from 23 countries want the act expanded to tackle resale abuse.