A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 0.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The MAIN Event Ticketing Act aims to improve online ticket sales and protect consumers. It amends the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 to prohibit using applications that perform automated tasks to bypass ticket purchasing rules or security measures. Ticket issuers must implement access control systems to enforce purchasing limits and maintain security safeguards for their websites. The bill requires issuers to report known circumvention incidents to the Commission within a specific timeframe. Additionally, it empowers the Commission to take civil action and impose penalties for violations.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +7
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill significantly strengthens consumer protection by prohibiting automated bots from bypassing ticket purchasing rules and requiring website security safeguards.
- Scored +5
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The act requires heightened safeguards for customer information and website security.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
By preventing bots from monopolizing tickets, the bill improves access for average consumers.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill imposes new administrative and reporting burdens on ticket issuers and service providers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection from automated ticket purchasing: The bill prohibits the use of applications that perform automated tasks to circumvent online ticket purchasing rules or security measures (Section 2(a)(1)(C)).
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Requirement for secure ticketing websites: Ticket issuers are required to establish and maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the security and integrity of their services (Section 2(b)(1)(2)(A)).
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Enforcement of purchasing limits: Issuers must have systems in place to ensure posted event ticket purchasing limits are enforced (Section 2(b)(1)(1)).
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Consumer reporting opportunities: The Commission is tasked with creating a public website where individuals can report violations (Section 2(b)(1)(3)(B)).
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Accountability for third parties: Ticket issuers must ensure that any third party or service provider with access to data maintains reasonable safeguards to protect the security and integrity of the service and data (Section 2(b)(1)(2)(C)(i)).
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Enhanced oversight and information sharing: The bill encourages coordination between the Commission and law enforcement to share information about cyberattacks on ticketing security measures (Section 2(b)(e)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Financial penalties for violators: Persons who violate the requirements of the act can be held liable for civil penalties of not less than $10,000 per day of the violation, plus $1,000 per violation, with even higher penalties for intentional violations (Section 2(a)(4)(A) and (B)).
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Civil litigation risks: The Commission has the authority to bring civil actions in federal court to recover penalties and seek other relief, such as injunctions (Section 2(a)(3)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the FTC's authority to bring civil actions and seek penalties for violations. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires reporting of circumvention incidents and mandates a congressional report on enforcement status. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill strengthens protections for customer data security during online transactions.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The act requires heightened safeguards for customer information and website security. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill increases regulation on digital services to prevent automated bot usage in ticket markets.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — By preventing bots from monopolizing tickets, the bill improves access for average consumers. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill creates a more equitable ticketing environment for non-automated purchasers. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill imposes new administrative and reporting burdens on ticket issuers and service providers.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill significantly strengthens consumer protection by prohibiting automated bots from bypassing ticket purchasing rules and requiring website security safeguards.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill mandates improved digital security and technical safeguards for ticket-selling websites to protect against cyberattacks.
- 9/16/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 36 - 0.
- 9/1/2026
- Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- 4/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana