Bill Pits Twins, Springsteen Against StubHub

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A proposal to prohibit restrictions on paperless event tickets is moving through the Legislature, pitting concert promoters and the Minnesota Twins against ticket resale websites such as StubHub.

The Senate Commerce Committee approved the legislation on a 10-6 vote Wednesday.

Republican Sen. Chris Gerlach of Apple Valley says his bill would allow people who buy event tickets to sell or transfer them without restrictions. Supporters include eBay, which owns StubHub, and a fan group opposed to restrictions on paperless tickets.

Concert promoters and venues including Target Center say the bill would benefit scalpers and hurt fans. They say artists such as Bruce Springsteen sometimes issue restricted tickets to ensure that only fans get them.

Twins president Dave St. Peter testified last week that scalpers are winning the fight with fans.

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