118 HR 9601 IH: Supporting Equal Access to Tables Act of 2024 U.S. House of Representatives 2024-09-16 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I118th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9601IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 16, 2024Mr. D'Esposito (for himself and Mr. Gottheimer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo prohibit third-party restaurant reservation services from offering or arranging unauthorized reservations for food service establishments, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Supporting Equal Access to Tables Act of 2024 or the SEAT Act of 2024.

2.

Limitation on third-party restaurant reservation services

(a)

Requirement

A provider of a third-party restaurant reservation service may only list, promote, sell, or otherwise advertise or make available a reservation for a food service establishment if there is a written agreement between such service and such establishment that permits such service to list, promote, sell, or otherwise advertise or make available such reservation.(b)

Enforcement by Commission

(1)

Unfair or deceptive acts or practices

A violation of this section shall be treated as a violation of a regulation under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)) regarding unfair or deceptive acts or practices. (2)

Powers of Commission

The Commission shall enforce this section in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this section. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act.(c)

Applicability

This section shall apply to a provider of a third-party restaurant reservation service beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.(d)

Indemnification provisions

An agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a) may not include a provision that requires a food service establishment to indemnify a third-party restaurant reservation service, any independent contractor acting on behalf of such third-party restaurant reservation service, or any registered agent of such third-party restaurant reservation service for any damages or harm by an act or omission initiated by the third-party restaurant reservation service. If an agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a) contains such a provision, such provision shall be deemed void and unenforceable.(e)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Commission

The term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission.(2)

Food service establishment

The term food service establishment—(A)means a restaurant, food stand, food truck, food cart, saloon, inn, tavern, bar, lounge, brewpub, tasting room, taproom, licensed facility or premise of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products, or other similar place of business in or at which the public or patrons assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or drink; and(B)includes an entity described in subparagraph (A) that is located in a larger establishment or complex, including an airport terminal or other transportation facility, amusement park, sports stadium, entertainment venue, hotel or hotel complex, or retail store or retail complex.(3)

Third-party restaurant reservation service

The term third-party restaurant reservation service means any website, mobile application, or other internet-based service that—(A)lists, promotes, sells, or otherwise advertises or makes available reservations for on-premises service for a customer at a food service establishment; and(B)is provided by a person other than the person who provides such food service establishment.