House Bill No. 5125 seeks to regulate the resale of entertainment event tickets in Connecticut by introducing new definitions and requirements for ticket resellers and operators. Key terms such as "entertainment event," "ticket reseller," and "initial sale" are defined, and resellers are mandated to either possess the ticket or have a written contract with the venue operator to sell tickets. The bill allows initial purchasers of tickets to certain athletic events to resell their tickets under specific conditions and permits subscription sales of tickets to artistic performances, provided that tickets are not resold until issued to the initial purchaser. Additionally, it prohibits advertising or facilitating ticket sales on websites that include the names of venues, events, or performers without express written consent, classifying violations as unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce.

The bill amends Section 53-289a of the general statutes, effective October 1, 2026, by introducing new definitions, including "dynamic pricing model" and "service charge," and requiring clear disclosure of total ticket prices and service charges in advertisements. It mandates that ticket sellers and resellers disclose the total price upfront and provide refunds for canceled events within thirty days, including all service charges. The Commissioner of Consumer Protection is empowered to adopt regulations to enforce these provisions, and violations will be treated as unfair trade practices under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA). Overall, sHB5125 aims to enhance transparency and consumer protection in the ticket sales market while ensuring that ticket resellers operate within defined legal parameters.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 53-289a
GL Joint Favorable Substitute: 53-289a
File No. 181: 53-289a
File No. 583: 53-289a