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HR 5104 114th Congress House Commerce Civil actions and liability Competition and antitrust Computers and information technology Consumer affairs Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Legal fees and court costs Retail and wholesale trades

BOTS Act

Introduced: April 28, 2016 Introduced by: Blackburn, Marsha Republican · Tennessee See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 18 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 13, 2016
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Sep 12, 2016
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 12, 2016
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5292-5293)
Sep 12, 2016
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5292-5293)
Sep 12, 2016
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5104.
Sep 12, 2016
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5292-5295)
Sep 12, 2016
Mr. Burgess moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 9, 2016
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 569.
Sep 9, 2016
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 114-733.
Jul 13, 2016
Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
Jul 13, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jul 12, 2016
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 9, 2016
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Jun 9, 2016
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 8, 2016
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 29, 2016
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
Apr 28, 2016
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Apr 28, 2016
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 9, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Better On-line Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the sale of computer software that: (1) is primarily designed to circumvent technology that limits purchases made via an online ticket selling system, (2) has only a limited commercially significant purpose other than for such circumvention, or (3) is marketed to use for such circumvention.

The bill also prohibits the use of such circumvention software in violation of a system operator's posted limits on: (1) the quantity of tickets purchased by a single user; (2) the sequence, number, or frequency of transactions; or (3) the geographic location of transactions.

In addition, the bill makes it unlawful to resell in commerce tickets that were acquired through such a prohibited use of circumvention software if the reseller participated in, had the ability to control, or should have known about the violation.

It shall not be unlawful, however, to create or use software to: (1) investigate or further the enforcement or defense of any alleged violation of this bill, or (2) identify and analyze flaws and vulnerabilities of a computerized event ticketing system if these activities are conducted to advance the state of knowledge in the field of computer system security or to assist in the development of computer security products.

Violations shall be treated as unfair and deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general may enforce against violations.

What's happening now September 13, 2016

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 5
All 5 Democratic 4 Republican 1