State Rep. Matthew Bierlein this week voted for legislation that will cut down on costly ticket price hikes that stem from automated bot buyers.

Although venues and ticket websites typically set caps on how many tickets an individual can purchase for an event, individuals and groups use these bots to circumvent the limits, rapidly purchase large amounts of tickets, and then cast them off at significantly higher prices. House Bills 4262-63 ban the use of bots to avoid ticket purchase limits.

“Buying and selling tickets to concerts, shows and athletic events online has become a common practice within our growing technological world because of its speed and relative ease,” said Bierlein, of Vassar. “Unfortunately, bad actors have corrupted the online ticketing landscape, frustrating fans of teams and performers and raising costs on hardworking families. These plans work to maintain fair access to events and protect consumers.”

Bierlein noted an example that was used when the bills were before the House Judiciary Committee earlier this month. A ticket with an original price of about $250 had been listed on the resale market for 20 times more. In 2022, an unprecedented flood of bot purchase attempts crashed Ticketmaster’s website during sales for musician Taylor Swift’s 2023-24 tour.

HBs 4262-63 would authorize the Michigan Department of Attorney General to pursue legal action against anyone circumventing online ticket purchasing limits through the use of automated bots. Anyone who violates the law would face penalties — civil fines of up to $5,000 per fraudulently obtained ticket.

Several states, like Arizona and most recently Maine, have passed similar pieces of legislation. Federal law also restricts ticket bots, and the state-level ban will enable state law enforcement to address the problem, too.

The plans now advance to the Senate for consideration.