Bills › 91st General Assembly

Relating to the use or creation of bots to purchase event tickets on the internet, and providing civil penalties

Sponsored by Sen. Jeff Reichman (R)

Topics:Business & economyCourts & civil lawTechnology & privacy

Same legislation: SF 146

Where it is now

  1. Done: IntroducedJanuary 15, 2025
  2. Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 21, 2025
  3. Done: Senate committeeJanuary 28, 2025
  4. Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 146
  5. Next: House committee
  6. Next: Passes the House
  7. Next: To the Governor
  8. Next: Signed into law

Became SF 146 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 146 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

AI summary People would be banned from using automated bots or multiple accounts to bypass ticket limits and waiting lines during online sales. Ticket sellers must report any known violations, and the attorney general can sue people who break these rules. If someone is found guilty of violating the law, they could face fines of up to $10,000 per violation.1

Read the official explanation

This bill relates to the use or creation of bots to purchase event tickets during internet sales. “Bot”, “event”, and “ticket” are defined by the bill. The bill prohibits a person from creating or using a bot to purchase tickets, or from using multiple internet protocol addresses, purchaser accounts, or electronic mail addresses to purchase tickets in excess of the posted limit for any one internet ticket sale. limitation system that is associated with an internet ticket sale, or from circumventing or disabling an access control system or other control or measure that is used to facilitate authorized entry to an event. The bill requires a ticket seller to report known violations of the bill’s provisions within five calendar days of becoming aware of the violation. Other individuals that have knowledge of a violation of the bill’s provisions may report the violation to the attorney general. The bill requires the attorney general to establish an electronic reporting system for the submission of reports. If the attorney general has reasonable belief that a person is in violation of the bill, the attorney general may bring civil action to enjoin further violations by the person, enforce compliance with the bill, assess a civil penalty in an amount not more than $10,000 for each violation, and other remedies permitted by law. If the attorney general has reasonable belief that a person is in violation of an injunction issued under the bill, the attorney general may bring civil action to provide for civil penalties in an amount not more than $100,000.

Changed since by amendments H-1274, H-1270, S-3001; see Amendments.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed2

Senate subcommittee

Named January 21, 2025. On January 23, 2025 it recommended passage.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§554I.1§554I.2§554I.3§554I.4

How the Code works3

Lobbying

2 for · 0 against · 1 undecided · Who →

Family tree

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None became law, though one got through a chamber.

  • SF 2322 Relating to the use or creation of bots to purchase event tickets on the internet, and pro…
    90th General Assembly · Passed Senate · same title
    Passed a chamber
  • SF 2269 Relating to the use or creation of bots to purchase event tickets on the internet, and pro…
    90th General Assembly · Renumbered as SF 2322 · very similar
    Cleared committee

Matched by wording or an identical title.