The proposed bill, known as the Washington Access and Venue Equity Act (WAVE Act), aims to enhance consumer protection in the ticket sales market for live entertainment and sporting events in Washington State. It introduces new regulations to promote transparency and fair competition, including prohibiting speculative ticket sales and restricting ticket resellers from listing tickets before their initial public on-sale. The bill requires clear disclosure of ticket transferability terms and mandates that resellers notify buyers of any event changes within eight hours. Additionally, it establishes a cap on resale prices, limiting them to 110% of the original ticket price, inclusive of fees, and requires resellers to obtain a license from the Department of Licensing, with penalties for violations.

The legislation also outlines exemptions for certain organizations, such as agricultural fairs and nonprofit entities, while emphasizing the protection of artists' wages and taxpayer-supported venues. It establishes a surety bond requirement for resellers to ensure consumer compensation in cases of ticket delivery failures and allows consumers to take civil action against violators. The bill includes provisions for the Department of Licensing to oversee compliance and maintain a publicly accessible website for reporting violations. Key definitions are introduced to clarify the roles of various parties involved in ticket transactions, and specific requirements for ticket resellers are established to ensure fair practices, including the obligation to disclose the all-in price of tickets and provide accessible customer service information. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2027.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 19.345.010, 19.345.020