With Noah Kahan’s Help, Vermont Caps Ticket Resale

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill this week that made the Green Mountain State the latest to cap prices on resold tickets,

The legislation — which goes into effect July 1 and will sunset after two years if not renewed — limits prices to 10% above face value, in line with what a handful of other states have implemented or proposed as the battle for ticketing reform has moved to statehouses. The law also bans speculative tickets and deceptive URLs and requires clear disclosures for buyers. Under the law, the Attorney General has the authority to runs audits, issue penalties and revoke licenses of resellers.

The bill got a boost from one of the state’s most prominent native sons, as singer-songwriter Noah Kahan submitted videotaped testimony in April as lawmakers worked through the bill. Kahan’s heavily-anticipated shows at Fenway Park in Boston were listed between $60 and $399, but were showing up on the secondary market at four figures.

“As an artist, I care very deeply about the fan experience and accessibility of concert tickets,” Kahan said, calling the bill “a critical step in eliminating predatory resale behaviors.”

“Today’s victory in Vermont is a meaningful step toward restoring trust between artists, fans and the marketplace,” said Nathaniel Marro, NITO Executive Director. “By capping resale prices and banning speculative ticketing, Vermont has drawn a clear line against the predatory practices that have plagued live music for too long. We commend the legislators, artists, and advocates who made this possible and call on every state to follow their lead. As a native Vermoter, I couldn’t be prouder of my home state for getting this done.”

Vermont joins neighboring Maine — both small markets — in implementing a cap. In Maine, the state’s AG interpreted the law — which also put in a 10% cap — as applying only to service fees charged by resale sites as opposed to the total price itself. Meanwhile, price cap bills are working through the legislatures of California and New York, much more substantial and influential markets than their smaller sibling states.