Dallas – Texas lawmakers are moving to protect consumers from hidden checkout charges on concert and sports tickets. State Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D‑Laredo) filed Senate Bill 42 on Monday as the Legislature prepares for its 2027 session. The bill would force online ticket sellers to display the total price—including mandatory service fees—right in the listing, so shoppers know exactly what they will pay before they click “buy.”
Key provisions of the proposal
The measure requires websites and mobile apps that sell or resell tickets to Texas events to list the full cost, broken out by ticket price and any mandatory ancillary fees. Sellers must also show the dollar amount of those fees, giving buyers a clear picture of the total expense.
Taxes and shipping costs are excluded from the definition of ancillary fees, and the rule does not apply to ordinary movie‑theater tickets unless the theater is hosting a live event. After a buyer selects a ticket, the seller may not raise the total price except for a reasonable, previously disclosed charge for non‑electronic delivery that the buyer chooses.
What the bill does not do
SB 42 does not set a ceiling on ticket prices, nor does it prevent sellers from adjusting prices before a customer makes a selection. It also does not create a new civil penalty for violations of the disclosure requirements; existing penalties of up to $10,000 per knowing violation of the state’s anti‑bot rules remain in place.
Federal backdrop
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) already requires businesses to disclose the full mandatory price of live‑event tickets upfront under a rule that took effect on May 12, 2025. That rule allows sellers to set their own prices and charge fees, but it bars misleading fee disclosures. In April, the FTC announced that StubHub agreed to pay $10 million to settle allegations that it failed to disclose total ticket prices, citing listings for high‑demand NFL games as examples.
Why the bill matters to Texans
Unexpected charges have long eroded consumer trust and made it difficult for shoppers to compare prices across platforms. By mandating transparent pricing at the point of selection, SB 42 seeks to give Texans a fairer shopping experience while preserving the market’s ability to set prices based on demand.
Consumers who suspect deceptive ticket pricing can already report the practice to the FTC. The Texas Legislature will convene on Jan. 12, 2027, and SB 42 would take effect on Sept. 1, 2027, if lawmakers pass it in its current form.
Local perspective
For Dallas residents who regularly purchase tickets to Cowboys games, concerts at the American Airlines Center, or other live events, the bill promises clearer cost information before they commit to a purchase. While the legislation does not address the overall cost of high‑profile events, it removes the surprise element that often leaves buyers feeling short‑changed.
Sen. Zaffirini emphasized that the goal is “to give Texans the information they need to make informed decisions, not to dictate how much a ticket should cost.” The proposal reflects a broader trend of state‑level consumer‑protection efforts that complement federal rules.
Next steps
The bill will now be assigned to the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce for further review. Stakeholders, including ticket platforms, consumer‑advocacy groups, and event promoters, are expected to weigh in during the committee hearing process.
As the debate unfolds, Texas voters can watch how their elected officials balance market freedom with the need for transparent pricing—a core principle of both free enterprise and responsible governance.
Original reporting: The Dallas Express — read the source article.
