Mich. lawmaker proposes making ticket scalping legal, says no reason to impede in free market

11/3/2013

LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan lawmaker wants to make it legal to sell game or concert tickets above face value.

Legislation introduced last week would repeal a 1931 state law that makes it illegal to scalp tickets unless authorized by the venue or event operators. Some online ticket sites have partnerships with teams and venues.

Republican Rep. Tim Kelly of Saginaw Township says he is lining up bipartisan support for his bill. He says it’s a common-sense measure that would let the free market decide the price of a ticket.

Kelly says there’s no reason for the government to interfere in a transaction between a willing buyer and willing seller. The legislation now goes to a House committee for consideration.