Consumer Affordability and Pricing Concessions Act
Sponsored By: Representative Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
Introduced
Summary
Caps concession prices at publicly funded stadiums. The Consumer Affordability and Pricing Concessions Act limits concession markups to no more than 7 percent above the local market rate at stadiums that receive public funding and seat at least 10,000 people, and it pushes stadium contracts to open space to small businesses while giving the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce compliance.
Show full summary
- Families and event-goers: May see lower or more market-aligned prices for food and drink because concessions cannot exceed 7 percent above the nearest metropolitan market rate.
- Small businesses and vendors: Stadiums must encourage contracts that make concession locations available to small businesses and may not charge a fee just for the right to sell concessions.
- Stadium owners and operators: Must structure leases and concessions contracts to favor small-business access and price limits or face enforcement.
- Federal Trade Commission and regulators: The FTC enforces violations using its existing powers and penalties under the Federal Trade Commission Act.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Help small businesses sell concessions
If enacted, covered stadiums would not be allowed to charge a fee to a small business just for the right to sell concessions at an event. The prohibition would still allow agreements to reimburse actual operating costs, utility charges, or equipment purchases or improvements, and it would not block normal commercial lease arrangements. The bill would also require stadiums, to the extent possible, to encourage concession providers to make spaces available for lease or sublicense to small businesses. "Small business" would be defined under the Small Business Act.
Lower stadium concession prices for fans
If enacted, covered stadiums (publicly funded venues with 10,000+ seats, excluding college venues) would have to limit concession prices sold under a commercial lease to no more than 7% above the local market rate as set by the Office of Management and Budget. The bill defines key terms like "covered stadium," "market rate," "concessions," and "commercial lease" to decide which venues and sales are covered. Violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive acts and the Federal Trade Commission would enforce the rules and use its normal penalties and remedies.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
MI • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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