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More than 100 people have signed up to testify on the RESALE Act, which has its first public hearing in front of DC Council on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON — D.C. music fans have an opportunity to make their voices heard when it comes to ticket scalpers, resellers and price gouging at concerts and other live events.
Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen introduced the “Restricting Egregious Scalping Against Live Entertainment (RESALE) Amendment Act of 2025” back in April. The proposed bill would fine a ticket reselling company as much as $10,000 per ticket if that company resold the ticket for a price more than 10% higher than the original listed cost.
D.C. Council is holding its first public hearing on the proposed consumer protection bill on Wednesday. Venues like the 9:30 Club have posted on social media calling on fans and artists to testify, either in person or by recorded video message.
More than 100 people have signed up to testify as of Tuesday morning, including club owners and activists, as well as DMV music fans.
Will Eastman, owner of U Street Music Hall Presents, said in his testimony that D.C. Council has an opportunity to “turn the tide” away from predatory retailers.
“Predatory ticket resellers suck equity and precious value from D.C. They take income out of D.C.‘s music ecosystem and into unworthy pockets of anonymous individuals who bring no value to the art. They indirectly steal from your constituents,” Eastman said.
Allyson Jaffe, owner of D.C. Improv Comedy Club, urged the D.C. Council to pass the legislation.
“As a business, we have encountered numerous customers who have unknowingly purchased fraudulent or grossly overpriced tickets to our comedy events through unauthorized resellers. These practices harm not only our patrons but also the artists who perform and the venues that host them,” Jaffe said.
Music fans are also weighing in.
“Live events can be a beautiful way for us to come together and celebrate our shared culture. It’s unfortunate that these opportunities have become plagued with monopolized pricing, junk fees, and exploitative scalping,” said music fan Ian Black.
Concertgoer Hailey Williams admitted to having her fair share of ticket resale nightmares, and called resale prices “uncalled for” in her testimony.
“No family should have to go into literal debt just to have a good night,” she said.
Beyond public support, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb was among the District leaders who endorsed Councilmember Allen’s bill.
“My office has taken action against companies across a range of industries … that deceive customers by advertising low prices and only revealing hidden junk fees later on in the purchasing process,” Attorney General Schwalb said. “I applaud Councilmember Allen for introducing this bill, which not only makes it crystal clear that drip pricing and junk fees are illegal under District law, but also introduces important and practical protections for ticket buyers.”
Live Nation Entertainment, which owns ticket seller Ticketmaster, said it’s supportive of the RESALE Act.
“We applaud Councilmember Charles Allen’s efforts to protect fans, artists and the live entertainment community with reforms, including all-in pricing, a cap on resale prices and a ban on spec ticketing,” Ticketmaster spokesman Michael Crittenden said on Tuesday. “We look forward to working with the city council to enhance this legislation and other reforms that support fans, artists and venues.”
The public hearing will be held in person and virtually in the John Wilson Building beginning at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Additional testimony can be submitted here.
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