April 6, 2017

Zawistowski Backs Consumer Protections for Event Tickets

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HARTFORD – State Representative Tami Zawistowski (R-61) recently voted in favor of legislation that provides greater consumer protections for the purchase of event tickets. The initiative received overwhelming bi-partisan support during Wednesday’s House Session.

The legislation, H.B. 7114, was similar to one of Rep. Zawistowski’s individual proposals that she submitted earlier in the legislative session. The concept was adopted into H.B. 7114, which ensures that consumers who purchase tickets to an entertainment event will retain the ability to dispose of those tickets as they wish and without additional fees – including transfer by gift or by sale. A burgeoning resale market involving venues such as StubHub, which employs 250 people at their home in East Granby, has provided the public with options to resell tickets they do not plan to use, as well as an open marketplace for others to purchase tickets. H.B. 7114 includes some exceptions for smaller venues or student tickets for events held by public institutions.

For the General Law Committee’s public hearing regarding the legislation, Rep. Zawistowski’s testimony emphasized both consumer freedom and the importance of related secondary market jobs for Connecticut. “StubHub is all about serving fans, and House Bill 7114 is a continuation of that philosophy,” said Zawistowski. “It protects the right of consumers to purchase tickets on the primary market and guarantees that they have the option to transfer those tickets to whomever and wherever they choose (by sale or by gift). By offering the consumer the clear option to purchase a transferable ticket, without penalty, on the primary market at the initial point of sale, this legislation protects consumers from those that would restrict consumer choice.”

StubHub, the world’s largest ticket marketplace with tickets available for over 10 million live sports, music and theatre events in more than 40 countries, has a call center that employs approximately 250 employees in East Granby, CT.

“StubHub has made a commitment and home in East Granby,” Zawistowski continued. “They have proven to be a great corporate neighbor to our community. Since moving to East Granby, StubHub has grown their local workforce to more than 250 employees. This company has quietly, but strongly, made a commitment to our community and to our state and I am happy to support this proposal which promotes such an important business in my district.”

H.B. 7114 passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 138-6 and now awaits further action before the Senate.

For more information on H.B. 7114, or any other legislation Rep. Zawistowski proposed, please call (860) 240-8700 or visit www.RepZawistowski.com.