LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 29, 2013) – The R Street Institute welcomes today’s introduction of H.B. 5108, legislation that would repeal Michigan’s outdated anti-“scalping” law.

Under the terms of a 1931 statute, it is illegal in Michigan to sell any ticket above its written face value without the express consent of the event and venue operators, as well as to resell any season ticket that bears the ticket-holder’s name.

Sponsored by state Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Saginaw, H.B. 5108 would strike those provisions from the state code and allow buyers and sellers to negotiate the resale price of event tickets in a free and open market.

“This change would represent a welcome update to what has become an archaic law, and bring Michigan in-line with 35 other states that do not have any statutory prohibitions on ticket resale,” R Street Midwest Director Alan Smith said. “We should not be wasting precious law enforcement resources preventing Michigan consumers from engaging in an open ticket market governed by the laws of supply and demand.”

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