The Michigan House has voted to repeal Michigan's rarely enforced ban against scalping tickets to games, concerts and other entertainment events. The bill was approved 71-36 Wednesday and sent to the Senate. A similar attempt to legalize ticket scalping died in the Senate in 2014.
The issue has pitted venue owners such as pro sports teams and public universities - which support the ban - against brokers who buy and resell their tickets mostly on the Internet and want the prohibition rescinded. Scalping, or selling tickets above face value, is a misdemeanor that can lead to a maximum 90 days in jail or $500 fine.
The legislation also would institute penalties for possessing "bot" software that interferes with ticket sale operations over the internet.