House Technology Innovation Committee adopts substitute to HB 563 after arts groups detail ticket fraud

The House Technology Innovation Committee adopted a substitute to House Bill 563 after multiple performing-arts organizations testified that deceptive ticket resale practices and fraudulent listings are harming patrons and venues.

Chair Claggett recognized Vice Chair Workman’s motion to amend HB 563 with a substitute. Vice Chair Workman said the substitute “aligns its language with the Federal Trade Commission's updated 2025 ticketing rules, removes provisions that would be too difficult to enforce, and clarifies key terms to avoid unintended impacts on responsible participants in the resale market.” The substitute was adopted "without objection."

Proponents told the committee the problems are widespread. Chelsea Thompson, president and CEO of the Renaissance Performing Arts Association, said deceptive third-party sites often mimic venue branding and appear above official sites in search results, drawing patrons to fraudulent…