Nevada committee hears bill to require ‘all‑in’ ticket pricing, clearer refunds and penalties for violations

The Assembly Commerce and Labor Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 338 on the sale of tickets to live entertainment events and related consumer protections, including requiring ticket sellers to display the total price up front and to provide clearer refunds for canceled or rescheduled events. The sponsor, Senator Julie Pizzina, who represents Senate District 12 in Clark County, told the committee the measure has three parts: incorporate the Federal Trade Commission pricing rule into state law, require transparent refund policies and create civil and criminal penalties to enforce the rules.

Why it matters: Consumers routinely encounter “drip pricing” online, where an advertised ticket price increases as fees are added during checkout. Pizzina said the bill mirrors an FTC trade regulation rule that will require ticket providers to disclose the total price of a ticket — including mandatory fees — so buyers see “the full cost they'll have to pay for the ticket right from the start.” Proponents said the change would restore price transparency that used to be common with in‑person purchases.

Proponents and testimony: Pizzina introduced the bill and called witnesses from the live‑entertainment and ticketing industries to support it. Myron Martin, chief executive officer of The Smith Center in Las Vegas, said the center already posts “all‑in pricing” on the first search screen and urged wider adoption. David Goldwater, representing the Nevada Ticket Brokers Association, said consistent, transparent pricing helps legitimate resellers and rebuilds consumer trust. Former Senator Mike Schneider, Myron Martin and Alfredo Alonso (testifying for UFC, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Oakland/A's interests) all described past problems with resellers and supported updating statutes to match the FTC rule, which Pizzina said is expected to take effect May 12.

Refunds and enforcement: Pizzina told the committee that refunds for canceled events are often inconsistent and sometimes exclude fees. The bill would require clearer refund policies from ticket providers and assign refund responsibility to ticket providers rather than relying solely on event organizers. It also would add civil and criminal penalties, and explicitly give the Nevada attorney general’s Bureau of Consumer Protection authority to enforce the provisions, Pizzina said.

Public testimony: Support came from representatives of the Nevada Resort Association and individual consumers, including remote callers who praised the bill for consumer protection. Burning Man's representative said earlier concerns had been addressed and registered neutral support after amendments. No opposition callers were recorded during the hearing.

What the bill does not yet decide: The committee held a hearing; no committee vote or final action was recorded for SB 338 during this meeting.

Outlook: Proponents said the combination of state statute and the new FTC rule would reduce surprise fees for buyers, streamline refund practices and create enforcement mechanisms to pursue bad actors in both primary and resale ticket markets. The committee closed the hearing on SB 338 and proceeded to other agenda items.