Michigan Lawmakers Pass Legislation Targeting Automated Ticket Bots with New State Enforcement Powers

Michigan lawmakers passed bills to stop automated software from buying tickets in bulk. Consumers often lose out when bots snap up tickets first. The legislation gives the state attorney general power to go after violators and impose fines up to $5,000 for each ticket obtained illegally.

People called House Bill 4262 and Senate Bill 158 the "Taylor Swift bills" after ticketing problems plagued the pop star's Eras Tour. That tour made about $2.08 billion in ticket sales worldwide across almost 150 shows. It drew roughly 10 million fans.

State Rep. Mike Harris explained how the automated programs work. "If you don't know what a bot is, it's these computerized programs that override all the safety procedures on platforms such as Ticketmaster, StubHub, whatnot," Harris said per WZZM 13. "These bots replicate thousands of fans trying to purchase tickets for their favorite events, and they're able to buy them up within seconds."

The bills make it unlawful to use or create bots that get around measures meant to enforce ticket purchase limits on entertainment events in Michigan. Federal law already prohibits this practice nationwide. But the new state legislation allows enforcement through state courts rather than federal courts.

"This legislation seeks to put the enforcement power into the hands of the state government," State Sen. Mary Cavanagh told a Senate committee in June, "giving us the authority and tools to take on bad actors when they target ticket sales in our state."

Harris addressed concerns about overlapping enforcement with federal authorities. "Obviously, when you get to the federal system, it's convoluted, it's large, and it's hard to guarantee they'll take action in Michigan," Harris said, according to FOX 2 Detroit. "That's what our attorney general is for."

The bills passed during the final session day of 2025. Six months had gone by without movement. Harris hadn't gotten an indication from the governor's office about whether she would sign the legislation as of Friday morning, but he expects approval given the measure's popularity.