Maine Governor Signs Ticketing Reform With 10% Resale Cap, Spec Ban

Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed a tough new ticketing reform bill into law this week.

S.P. 403/L.D. 913 enacts a resale price cap of 10% above face value, bans speculative ticketing and includes fee disclosure requirements for both primary and secondary ticketers.

The law also enacts refund requirements on secondary sellers for cancelled events, counterfeit tickets, untimely delivery and false representations. It also bans the use of bots to circumvent purchasing limits.

The law goes into effect 90 days after Wednesday’s signing. Violations of the law carry fines of up to $10,000.

“By creating this law, Maine’s state elected leaders have shown the rest of the country what’s possible,” Stephen Parker, Executive Director of the National Independent Venue Association and Co-Chair of the Fix the Tix Coalition, said in a statement. “This legislation doesn’t just protect fans—it rebalances the live event ecosystem to put power back in the hands of consumers, artists, and venues. By banning fake tickets, capping resale at a fair 10% above face value, and ensuring clear accountability for deceptive practices, Maine has created a blueprint for ticketing reform that other states and Congress should now follow.”

With ticketing reform often floundering at the federal level, organizations like NIVA and the National Independent Talent Organization, have refocused their efforts on state legislatures.

“Maine’s new live event ticketing law offers strong and enforceable protections for both fans and artists. By mandating price and fee transparency, a 10% resale cap, along with refunds as well as bans on speculative ticketing, bots and deceptive website and branding, Maine has provided a template for the rest of the country and we applaud them for taking this action on behalf of  fans and the artists we represent,” Wayne Forte, NITO president, said in a statement..