(WWJ) Legislation known as the "Taylor Swift bills" have been signed into law by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The Event Online Ticket Sales Act authorizes the Michigan Attorney General to charge anyone caught using ticket bots — a problem made apparent ahead of Swift's 2023 "Eras Tour" stop at Detroit's Ford Field, when ticket prices were too high for many fans, or they just didn't have an opportunity to buy them.
Senate Bill 158, sponsored by Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township), and House Bill 4262, sponsored by Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford Township), prohibit the use of bots to buy large numbers of tickets to concerts, sporting events, and shows, driving up the prices of tickets and pricing out regular consumers. The legislation also allows the Attorney General to bring a civil action of up to $5,000 for a violation of the act. It closely mirrors the federal Better Online Tickets Sales (BOTS) Act.
“Bot-scammers have long taken advantage of Michigan consumers by purchasing event tickets in bulk and funneling them into an inflated resale market, pricing far too many folks out of the joy and community built at live entertainment events,” said state Sen. Mary Cavanagh, in a statement. “As Chair of the Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee, I’m always committed to ensuring Michigan consumers are treated with fairness and integrity in the marketplace. I'm proud to see my bipartisan legislation make it across the finish line, enabling more Michiganders to be able to experience the fun of a live event.”
Other bills signed by Whitmer on Tuesday include a law the governor's office says keep kids safe by installing temporary locking devices at child care centers, and making firearm safety an elective course for Michigan students; cut red tape for farmers, brewers, auto repair businesses, and hunters; help Michiganders defend themselves from meritless lawsuits; and more.
Many of these bills passed with bipartisan support.
Whitmer said, in a statement: “I’ll work with anyone to lower costs for Michiganders, protect consumers, keep kids safe, and cut red tape. We’ve made historic investments in school safety, and our tax cuts for working families and seniors are putting more money back in Michiganders’ pockets. These commonsense bills will build on the progress we’ve made, make a difference for Michiganders, and help more individuals, families, and small businesses ‘make it’ in Michigan. Let’s keep getting it done.”