Legislature enacts President Daughtry consumer protection bill ensuring ticket price transparency
AUGUSTA - Senate President Daughtry’s consumer protection bill (LD 913) aimed at empowering ticket buyers passed the Senate. The bill was enacted in the Senate with a unanimous bipartisan vote marking a significant step toward providing consumers with more flexibility and fairness when purchasing event tickets.
As amended, the proposed legislation will regulate speculative ticket sales and the use of deceptive URLs and bots to circumvent online sales limitations, helping protect consumers from sites seeking to take advantage of them. Additionally, the bill guarantees price transparency by requiring event ticket sellers to clearly disclose all fees upfront, protecting consumers from surprise charges at checkout.
“Buying a ticket to see your favorite band or team shouldn’t feel like navigating a trap,” said Senate President Mattie Daughtry, sponsor of the bill. “This legislation puts power back in the hands of consumers by ensuring transparency, banning deceptive practices, and protecting Mainers from scams. Maine people love live music and supporting our local Maine venues, which are the heart of so many of our communities. Everyone deserves to know what they’re paying for — no surprises, no hidden fees, just fun.”
Under the new law, sellers will be required to provide clear, upfront pricing, including any applicable service fees or charges, before the final purchase is completed. This provision is designed to help consumers make informed decisions and avoid the frustration of unexpected costs.
“At its core, this bill is about standing up for Maine people and the venues they love,” said Senator Chip Curry (D-Belfast), Senate Chair of Housing and Economic Development Committee. “I’m proud to have worked on this legislation, shaping it to the real needs of Maine people — not powerful out-of-state corporations. It protects real fans and small venues from being squeezed out by out-of-state resellers using bots, fake websites, and sky-high markups. Mainers deserve a ticketing system that works for them — not one that plays them. This legislation helps ensure that when you buy a ticket, you’re getting a fair deal, not a scam.”
“LD 913 will be a meaningful step toward preserving Maine’s rich, independent live events culture and protecting the venues, artists, and fans that make it special,” said Representative Cassie Julia (D-Waterville), sponsor of the committee amendment that helped make this bill successful.
Bill Highlights
Guarantees price transparency by requiring event ticket sellers to clearly disclose all fees upfront, protecting consumers from surprise charges at checkout.
Bans speculative ticket sales meaning that sellers cannot list tickets they don’t actually own or that haven’t gone on sale yet.
Bans the use of AI bots that bypass ticket limits and buy up hundreds of tickets before fans have a chance to purchase a ticket.
Bans fake websites that mimic real venues to sell overpriced or fake tickets to unsuspecting consumers.
Empowers local venues to protect fan-only presales from abuse by bots or other nefarious entities.
Requires a reseller site to issue a full refund if they sell a consumer a counterfeit ticket.
The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.