A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Guaranteeing Honest Ownership in Secondary Ticketing Act or the GHOST Act. It makes it unlawful for a ticket reseller to sell, offer for sale, or advertise an event ticket unless they have actual possession of it. Actual possession means physical or virtual possession of a ticket issued by a ticket issuer. The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general are given the power to enforce these rules through civil actions and penalties. The bill also requires the Federal Trade Commission to create a publicly available website for reporting violations. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission must submit annual reports to Congress on enforcement metrics, activity, and effectiveness.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill significantly enhances consumer protection by prohibiting speculative ticket sales and providing strict penalties for resellers.
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the FTC to create a public reporting website and submit annual reports to Congress.
- Scored +3
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal enforcement capabilities through the FTC to regulate secondary ticket markets.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Resellers may face significant financial risks due to new prohibitions and steep penalties.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Reporting Violations: Section 4(a)(5) requires the Commission to create a publicly available website where individuals may report violations of this Act and the Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016. This provides a direct outlet for everyday people to speak up when they spot bad behavior.
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Enforcement by States: Section 4(b)(1) allows the attorney general of a State to bring a civil action on behalf of residents to obtain damages, restitution, or other compensation. This gives local officials the power to fight back for the people they represent.
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Banning Speculative Sales: Section 3 makes it unlawful for any reseller to sell, offer for sale, or advertise for sale an event ticket unless they have actual possession of it. This provision stops resellers from selling tickets they do not actually own yet.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: The provided text does not contain explicit provisions detailing potential negative consequences, burdens, or harms for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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 make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the FTC to create a public reporting website and submit annual reports to Congress. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill empowers state attorneys general to bring civil actions to protect their residents. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal enforcement capabilities through the FTC to regulate secondary ticket markets.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill significantly enhances consumer protection by prohibiting speculative ticket sales and providing strict penalties for resellers.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Resellers may face significant financial risks due to new prohibitions and steep penalties.
- 11/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/23/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Shelley CapitoRepublican · West Virginia
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont