Senate committee hears bill to ban speculative ticket sales that leave fans empty-handed

Chair Taylor opened the Senate Committee on Labor and Business public hearing on House Bill 4,024 on Feb. 16, 2026. The bill, explained by committee staff Whitney, would prohibit a reseller from reselling an admission ticket unless they have actual or constructive possession of the ticket or a written contract to obtain it from the operator or ticket seller, and would make a violation an unlawful trade practice under Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act. Whitney said the bill has no subsequent referrals, no amendments, and a minimal fiscal impact; she noted it passed the House 55–2 with 3 excused.

Representative Pam Marsh, a sponsor, framed the bill as “a simple common-sense step to protect Oregon's venues and consumers from speculative ticketing,” saying the practice can involve sellers advertising and selling tickets they do not actually possess and sometimes…