California’s Senate Appropriations Committee blocked AB 1720 this week. The California Fans First Act would have capped concert ticket resales at 10% above face value.
What We Know Assemblymember Matt Haney of San Francisco authored the measure. The National Independent Venue Association, Music Artists Coalition, National Independent Talent Organization, and Live Nation all backed it. Maine, Vermont, Washington D.C., and Massachusetts have already enacted or plan similar resale caps. The bill specifically aimed to stop predatory ticket brokers while protecting legitimate resale.
What They Said Ron Gubitz, Executive Director of the Music Artists Coalition, expressed frustration: “Every fan at every show needs protection. Period.” Haney pledged to continue pushing for solutions protecting artists and fans. He noted that artists from Kid Rock to Noah Kahan demanded change. Additionally, independent venues have spoken loudly in support.
What Remains Unclear The committee never explained why it blocked the legislation. StubHub spent millions lobbying against AB 1720 last quarter. The resale platform declined to comment on the failure. Moreover, committee members haven’t detailed their voting positions.
What It Means Resale platforms depend entirely on markup fees for revenue. Therefore, they fiercely opposed this consumer protection. Meanwhile, fans, artists, and venues lost crucial market protections. However, Haney vows the fight for ticket fairness will continue.
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David Hill serves as a Music Radio Editor, Columnist and Features writer for Barrett Media. A radio lifer with more than 30 years behind the mic, in the control room, and in the program director’s chair, David’s career spans influential stops at brands such as WIYY 98 Rock, WBAL-AM, and 99X. He has worked across multiple formats and ownership groups, including iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media, developing talent, breaking music, and navigating every major industry shift from diary to PPM and terrestrial dominance to streaming disruption. When he’s not writing or analyzing the industry, Dave runs The Tune Farm, a marketing firm built to help artists and brands grow audience the same way great radio always has—by creating connection, not just impressions. He can be reached at David@BarrettMedia.com.