On April 22–23, the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles and San Francisco Chapters joined forces in Sacramento for California for the Arts Advocacy Day, meeting with lawmakers to spotlight ticketing issues that directly impact musicians and fans across the state. The two-day effort focused on advancing meaningful reforms to protect consumers and artists from deceptive and predatory ticketing practices.
At the center of the Academy’s efforts was Assembly Bill 1349, an Academy-backed proposal that would modernize California’s ticketing laws. The bill aims to eliminate fraudulent sales tactics, strengthen refund guarantees, and introduce enforceable penalties for bad actors in the ticket resale market.
If passed, AB 1349 would ban the sale of speculative tickets and prohibit resellers from creating misleading websites that mimic official ticketing platforms. It would also require greater transparency in resale listings, including clear disclosure of the ticket’s original face value and its resale status.
Further protections include full refunds for canceled events, as well as options for credit or reimbursement when shows are rescheduled. The legislation would also authorize civil penalties of up to $10,000 for violations.
On April 22, Quiana Conley-Akinro, Senior Executive Director of the Recording Academy’s Los Angeles Chapter, delivered testimony before the California State Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection in support of AB 1349. She also testified before the State Assembly’s Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism in opposition to AB 1219 — a separate bill the Academy believes could create new challenges for the live event industry.
AB 1219 proposes that proof of purchase be immediately issued after a ticket sale, and that the proof alone be valid for entry even if the ticket itself is not delivered. The Academy argues that this approach is logistically unfeasible and may incentivize the resale of proofs of purchase, rather than actual tickets.
To close the first day of advocacy, the San Francisco Chapter hosted a member mixer, offering a space for Recording Academy members to connect, network, and discuss the significance of ticketing reform efforts at the state level.
On April 23, representatives from both Chapters reconvened at the Capitol for a full day of legislative meetings. Academy members participated in over a dozen discussions with lawmakers from the California State Assembly and Senate, emphasizing the need to support AB 1349 and prioritize artist-first ticketing policies that protect fans over scalpers and resellers.
The two-day initiative underscored the Recording Academy’s ongoing commitment to legislative change that benefits the entire music ecosystem — from creators and fans to venues and the broader live event industry.
The Recording Academy proudly supports its members in championing creators’ rights at the federal, state, and local levels. To learn how you can get involved and take action, visit the Recording Academy's Music Advocacy Action page. Read our GRAMMY Impact Report to learn more about how the Recording Academy protects music creators and preserves the music industry at large through year-round policymaking and advocacy initiatives.
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