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Public Law114th CongressCommerce
S. 3183Became Law

BOTS Act of 2016

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary public law (Dec 14, 2016)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 27, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the circumvention of a security measure, access control system, or other technological measure on an Internet website or online service of a ticket issuer that is used to enforce posted event ticket purchasing limits or to maintain the integrity of posted online ticket purchasing order rules for a public event with an attendance capacity exceeding 200 persons.

The bill also prohibits the sale of or offers to sell an event ticket in interstate commerce obtained through such a circumvention violation if the seller 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 or systems to: (1) investigate, or further the enforcement or defense of, alleged violations; or (2) identify and analyze flaws and vulnerabilities of security measures 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 or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The bill provides authority to the Federal Trade Commission and states to enforce against such violations.

What just happenedDec 14, 2016

Became Public Law No: 114-274.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS](R-KS)Sponsor
8 cosponsors7 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
8cosponsors1committees25actions1related bills7subjects
  1. Dec 14, 2016President

    Became Public Law No: 114-274.

  2. Dec 14, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 114-274.

  3. Dec 14, 2016President

    Signed by President.

  4. Dec 14, 2016BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Dec 12, 2016Floor

    Presented to President.

  6. Dec 12, 2016President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Dec 7, 2016FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Dec 7, 2016FloorH37100

    On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H7326-7327)

  9. Dec 7, 2016Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H7326-7327)

  10. Dec 7, 2016FloorH30200

    Mrs. Blackburn asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.

  11. Dec 7, 2016FloorH30000

    Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H7326-7327)

  12. Dec 5, 2016Floor

    By Senator Thune from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 114-391.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  13. Dec 5, 2016Committee14900

    By Senator Thune from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 114-391.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  14. Dec 1, 2016FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  15. Dec 1, 2016FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  16. Dec 1, 2016Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  17. Nov 30, 2016Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6626-6627; text as passed Senate: CR S6626-6627)

  18. Nov 30, 2016Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6626-6627; text as passed Senate: CR S6626-6627)

  19. Sep 27, 2016Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 648.

  20. Sep 27, 2016Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  21. Sep 27, 2016Committee14000

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Thune with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  22. Sep 21, 2016Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  23. Sep 13, 2016Committee

    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-614.

    Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security Subcommittee
  24. Jul 13, 2016IntroReferral

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

    Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
  25. Jul 13, 2016IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawDec 14, 201649

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 27, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the circumvention of a security measure, access control system, or other technological measure on an Internet website or online service of a ticket issuer that is used to enforce posted event ticket purchasing limits or to maintain the integrity of posted online ticket purchasing order rules for a public event with an attendance capacity exceeding 200 persons.

The bill also prohibits the sale of or offers to sell an event ticket in interstate commerce obtained through such a circumvention violation if the seller 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 or systems to: (1) investigate, or further the enforcement or defense of, alleged violations; or (2) identify and analyze flaws and vulnerabilities of security measures 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 or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The bill provides authority to the Federal Trade Commission and states to enforce against such violations.

Passed House without amendmentDec 7, 201681

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 27, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the circumvention of a security measure, access control system, or other technological measure on an Internet website or online service of a ticket issuer that is used to enforce posted event ticket purchasing limits or to maintain the integrity of posted online ticket purchasing order rules for a public event with an attendance capacity exceeding 200 persons.

The bill also prohibits the sale of or offers to sell an event ticket in interstate commerce obtained through such a circumvention violation if the seller 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 or systems to: (1) investigate, or further the enforcement or defense of, alleged violations; or (2) identify and analyze flaws and vulnerabilities of security measures 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 or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The bill provides authority to the Federal Trade Commission and states to enforce against such violations.

Passed Senate amendedNov 30, 201635

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 27, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the circumvention of a security measure, access control system, or other technological measure on an Internet website or online service of a ticket issuer that is used to enforce posted event ticket purchasing limits or to maintain the integrity of posted online ticket purchasing order rules for a public event with an attendance capacity exceeding 200 persons.

The bill also prohibits the sale of or offers to sell an event ticket in interstate commerce obtained through such a circumvention violation if the seller 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 or systems to: (1) investigate, or further the enforcement or defense of, alleged violations; or (2) identify and analyze flaws and vulnerabilities of security measures 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 or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The bill provides authority to the Federal Trade Commission and states to enforce against such violations.

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)Sep 27, 20161

Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits the circumvention of a security measure, access control system, or other technological measure on an Internet website or online service of a ticket issuer that is used to enforce posted event ticket purchasing limits or to maintain the integrity of posted online ticket purchasing order rules for a public event with an attendance capacity exceeding 200 persons.

The bill also prohibits the sale of or offers to sell an event ticket in interstate commerce obtained through such a circumvention violation if the seller 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 or systems to: (1) investigate, or further the enforcement or defense of, alleged violations; or (2) identify and analyze flaws and vulnerabilities of security measures 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 or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The bill provides authority to the Federal Trade Commission and states to enforce against such violations.

Introduced in SenateJul 13, 2016

Better Online Ticket Sales Act of 2016 or the BOTS Act of 2016

This bill prohibits: (1) the circumvention of a security measure or access control system on an Internet website of a ticket issuer that is used to enforce event ticket purchasing limits or to maintain the integrity of online ticket purchasing order rules, or (2) offers to sell an event ticket in interstate commerce knowingly obtained through such a circumvention violation.

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

The bill provides authority to the Federal Trade Commission and states to enforce against such violations.

BOTS Act of 2016 — Informed