Bill Text: VA HB277 | 2024 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Consumer protection; transparency in ticket fees, civil penalties.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Failed) 2024-03-09 - Failed to pass in Senate [HB277 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB277-Engrossed.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Title 59.1 a chapter numbered 38.3, consisting of sections numbered 59.1-466.9 and 59.1-466.10, as follows:
§59.1-466.9. [ Price on face of ticket required
to be price charged Total ticket cost required to be displayed ]
.
[ A. For purposes of this chapter, "event"
means the same as that term is defined in §59.1-466.5.
B. Every ticket of admission or other evidence of right
of entry to an event for admission, to which a price is charged, shall bear on
its face the price charged for such ticket or other evidence of right of entry
by the person issuing the same or causing the same to be issued. Any
person that sells, resells, or facilitates the sale or resale of a ticket to an
event, as that term is defined in §59.1-466.5, shall clearly and conspicuously
display the total cost of the ticket, including all ancillary fees or
surcharges that are require to be paid in order to purchase the ticket, from
the first time a price is displayed and any time thereafter. The total cost of
the ticket shall not increase from the first time a price is displayed,
excluding the addition of reasonable postage or carrier charges incurred to
ship non-electronic tickets based on the location or delivery method selected
by the purchaser, which shall be disclosed and added to the total ticket cost
prior to purchase. The purchaser shall be provided an itemized list of the base
price of the ticket and each ancillary fee or surcharge prior to purchase. ]
§59.1-466.10. Enforcement; civil penalties.
A. The Attorney General may cause an action to be brought in the name of the Commonwealth to enjoin any violation of §59.1-466.9 by any person and to recover a civil penalty in the amount of not less than $1,000 nor more than $5,000 for each such violation. Civil penalties paid pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the Literary Fund.
B. In an action brought under this section, the Attorney General may recover damages and such other relief allowed by law, including restitution on behalf of consumers injured by violations of §59.1-466.9.
C. In an action brought under this section, the Attorney General may recover reasonable expenses incurred in investigating and preparing the case, and attorney fees.
D. Whenever the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in, any violation of §59.1-466.9, the Attorney General is empowered to issue a civil investigative demand. The provisions of §59.1-9.10 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to civil investigative demands issued pursuant to this section.
E. Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting any private cause of action that may exist under any law of the Commonwealth.