Nick Reisman reports for New York State of Politics that as live events return as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, State Senator James Skoufis is proposing ticket-selling reforms. “The Ticketmasters of the world want to perpetuate a system that allows them to continue fleecing hardworking New Yorkers,” said Sen. James Skoufis. “As we continue to reopen and rebuild our status as the entertainment capital of the country, New York has a rare opportunity to ensure our state leads the nation in accessible, fan-friendly live event experiences that position ourselves for an unconditional comeback. Now is the time to take up long overdue reforms and put an end to the outright thievery that consumers face on a daily basis.” His bill before the state legislature in Albany would mandate that ticket-buying platforms report "bot" activity to the state attorney general's office; and bar resale platforms from allowing unlicensed brokers to sell tickets on their sites. It would also add refund requirements to postponed live events and change broker license fees and clarify who can obtain a broker's license. "The common-sense consumer protections provided through this legislation are long overdue," said Consumer Reports' Programs Director for Advocacy Chuck Bell. "As New York reopens its entertainment venues and stadiums in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical to ensure that consumers get fair value for their money, and can have confidence in the honesty and integrity of the businesses they patronize. Consumer Reports, along with our partners at the National Consumers League, urge the passage of this bill." Read more about this story at the New York State of Politics website.