A recent post on The Miami Herald’s Naked Politics blog unfairly labeled the state Legislature’s HB 163 as a “scalping bill.” As a long-time consumer advocate, I support HB 163, legislation recently introduced by Rep. Jimmie T. Smith to ensure Florida consumers own the tickets they buy.
Is a dad who gives his daughter Taylor Swift concert tickets for her birthday a scalper? What about a group of friends who couldn’t afford their Bucs season tickets if they don’t sell off a few tickets each year? Are they scalpers, too?
The Florida Consumer Action Network calls them consumers. We support HB 163 because we believe consumers own the tickets they buy.
Almost everyone has had to miss an event at some point. Restricted tickets are anti-consumer because they prohibit or limit an individual’s ability to give away tickets to friends or family, donate them to a local nonprofit’s fundraiser or resell them to colleagues or on the secondary market.
Despite how some may misrepresent this bill, Smith’s legislation is in the best interest of Florida consumers.
Bill Newton, executive director, Florida Consumer Action Network, Tampa
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