NIVA And Fix The Tix Applaud Maine’s Nation-Leading Ticketing Law
Maine Legislature and Governor Mills Approve Groundbreaking Ticketing Policy That Puts Fans First
June 19, 2025 – The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and the Fix the Tix Coalition applaud the Maine Legislature for passing S.P. 403/L.D. 913—an extraordinary piece of legislation that sets a national standard for consumer protection in the live event ticketing marketplace. In a time when fans across the country are being misled, overcharged, or outright defrauded by deceptive resale practices, Maine has stepped up with one of the most comprehensive and enforceable ticketing laws in the country. This bill corrects years of abuse by unchecked resale platforms, bots, and speculative ticket sellers, and delivers the kind of bold, clear-sighted reform that fans, artists, and independent venues have long called for.
This landmark law:
Bans speculative ticket listings—making it illegal to sell a ticket that the seller does not yet possess
Imposes a 10% resale cap to limit excessive markups and price gouging
Requires full price transparency, with all mandatory fees disclosed up front and displayed more prominently than any other pricing
Mandates refunds for counterfeit, undelivered, or misrepresented tickets
Codifies that a ticket is a revocable license, reinforcing the authority of venues and ticket issuers
Bans deceptive websites and stolen branding that mislead fans into thinking they’re buying from official sources
Prohibits the use of bots to circumvent online ticket limits
Ensures Attorney General enforcement, treating violations as unfair trade practices under Maine law, with penalties of up to $10,000 per violation
“This legislation reflects the needs and values of Maine’s music and cultural communities,” said Lauren Wayne, President of the State Theatre Presents in Portland, Maine. “We are incredibly grateful for having Senator Daughtry and the entire Housing and Economic Development Committee listen to Mainers throughout the entire process of this bill so that we can all continue to ensure that real fans get access to real tickets at real prices. LD 913 is pro-consumer and pro-local business and we are thrilled to have helped make this happen so that Mainers are no longer fleeced by deceptive websites and deceived by scalpers who price gouge fans.”
“By creating this law, Maine’s state elected leaders have shown the rest of the country what’s possible,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director of NIVA and Co-Chair of the Fix Tix Coalition. “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.”
Fans, artists, venues, and live music advocates thank the Maine Legislature and Governor Mills for protecting the live ecosystem with this bill. As other states consider ticketing legislation, Maine’s S.P. 403/L.D. 913 should serve as a gold standard - demonstrating that smart, enforceable, and fan-focused reform is not only possible, but essential.
ABOUT NIVA
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is the national trade association representing thousands of independent live entertainment venues, festivals, promoters, and more. NIVA works to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of live entertainment. NIVA empowers members and their teams with member benefits, advocacy on the state, local, and federal levels, an annual industry-leading conference, and more.
NIVA led the Save Our Stages campaign, culminating in landmark legislation in 2020 that established the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, the largest arts investment in U.S. history.
NIVA is committed to equity in its support of independent stages. It seeks to create and encourage opportunities for venues, promoters, and festivals owned, operated, and staffed by people of color, women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities.
CONTACT
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Kris Ferraro, Kris@luckybreakpr.com
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