WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) issued the following statement following Governor Tim Walz signing legislation to require all-in pricing when tickets are sold or resold, banning speculative tickets, and banning bots from circumventing buying up tickets before fans. In the U.S. Senate, Klobuchar co-leads the bipartisan Fans First Act to strengthen transparency in live event ticketing markets at the federal level. Like the Minnesota law, the Fans First Act ensures fans know the total price of tickets, stops bad actors from using bots to buy tickets before real fans and bans other deceptive practices. In addition, the Fans First Act gives the FTC significant enforcement authority, requires refunds for canceled shows, and allows fans that buy resold tickets to opt-in to get communications about safety and scheduling.

"Buying a ticket to see your favorite artist in concert is like going through a gauntlet for too many Americans, and it's hurting both fans and artists," said Klobuchar. "With this legislation, Minnesota is leading the country in improving the ticketing experience but more must be done at the federal level to strengthen these protections. That's why I continue to push for my Fans First Act with Senator Cornyn to increase transparency in ticket sales and enact other common sense safeguards. Our bill has growing support, including hundreds of major musicians, and I will keep working to pass this legislation."

Klobuchar introduced the Fans First Act with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to address flaws in the current live event ticketing system by increasing transparency in ticket sales to reduce fees, protecting consumers from fake tickets, and holding bad actors who engage in illegal ticket sale practices accountable. Other co-sponsors include Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Peter Welch (D-VT), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV).

Last month, the Fix the Tix Coalition released a letter expressing support for the Fans First Act. Over 250 artists including Billie Eilish, Cyndi Lauper, Green Day, and more signed the open letter, which urges the Senate Commerce Committee's consideration of the Fans First Act to improve consumer protections and transparency in ticket sales.

In 2023, Klobuchar led a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing highlighting the need to promote competition in the ticketing industry to protect consumers. Klobuchar organized this hearing after significant service failures and delays on Ticketmaster's website in November 2022 left fans unable to purchase concert tickets for Taylor Swift's new tour.

This legislation is endorsed by the Fix the Tix Coalition, Consumer Reports, National Independent Venue Association, Seattle Theatre Group, Recording Academy, Recording Industry Association of America, National Independent Talent Organization, Eventbrite, Performing Arts Alliance, North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents, International Association of Venue Managers, Songwriters of North America, Americans for the Arts, Americans for the Arts Action Fund, Future of Music Coalition, Artists Rights Alliance, Music Managers Forum, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Association of Performing Arts Professionals, and Open Markets Institute.

###