Last week, California Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) introduced the California Fans First Act (AB 1720), with the goal of curbing price gouging on concert tickets.
Here’s a closer look at the California Fans First Act, and what it could mean for concertgoers.
What is the California Fans First Act?
The California Fans First Act (AB 1720) is a new bill that would impose a new price cap on resale tickets, limiting their resale prices to no more than 10% above face value.
The bill is aimed at professional scalpers and automated bots that buy huge quantities of tickets and resell them at high markups. Ticket buyers often pay more than double the original price on the secondary market, which also affects independent venues and nightlife districts, as fans cannot afford to attend as many events.
If the bill becomes law, it would apply to live shows including concerts, comedy shows, and theatre, but not sporting events.
Who is behind the California Fans First Act?
California Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) authored and introduced the bill on February 5th, 2026. It has support from LiveNation and the National Independent Venue Association’s California chapter (NIVA California).
“For decades, concert tickets were sold at face value to real fans who wanted to see the artists they loved,” said Haney in a press release.
“But today, professional scalpers and bots buy up tickets in seconds and resell them at massive markups. This bill puts an end to that system and puts the concert experience back where it belongs: with fans and artists.”
Supporters of the bill argue that the California Fans First Act could set a new national standard for fair ticketing practices, similar to earlier legislation that targeted hidden fees and deceptive online marketplaces. However, not everyone is convinced. Some economists and resale platforms claim that strict pricing caps may limit market flexibility and discourage legitimate resellers who help tickets reach fans unable to buy them at launch.
What happens next?
AB 1720 has just been introduced in the California legislature and must now go through the usual committee and voting process. It is currently listed as “in progress” on the CalMatters site, with a note that it may be heard in committee on March 8th.