AB-1245
Consumer Protection

California Restaurant Reservation AntiPiracy Act.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Prohibits third-party platforms from listing restaurant reservations without written agreements from establishments.
  • Authorizes the Attorney General to impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation.
  • Creates a state fund from collected penalties to enforce restaurant reservation regulations.
  • Allows restaurants and authorized reservation services to sue unauthorized platforms for damages.

Summary

Assembly Members Stefani and Lowenthal's California Restaurant Reservation AntiPiracy Act aims to regulate how third-party services handle restaurant reservations by requiring written agreements between reservation platforms and food service establishments before listings can appear online. The legislation addresses unauthorized reservation practices by prohibiting third-party services from advertising or selling reservations without explicit permission from the restaurants.

The bill establishes enforcement mechanisms through both state and private actions. The Attorney General can pursue civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation, along with injunctive relief and attorney's fees. Individuals and businesses harmed by violations may seek actual damages, legal costs, and court-ordered remedies. A new California Restaurant Reservation AntiPiracy Act Fund would collect penalties recovered by the Attorney General, with disbursement subject to legislative appropriation for implementing the law.

The measure defines its scope by distinguishing between unauthorized third-party services and legitimate reservation distribution channels operating through contractual relationships. Food service establishments retain control over their reservation systems, while platforms must obtain written authorization before including restaurants in their services. This framework applies to websites, mobile applications, and other digital platforms facilitating dining reservations.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced. To print.
Assembly Floor
Introduced. To print.
Introduced. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
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Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Joe PattersonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Liz OrtegaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assembly Member
Bill Author

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Josh Lowenthal
Josh LowenthalD
California State Assembly Member
Catherine Stefani
Catherine StefaniD
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

Key Takeaways

  • Prohibits third-party platforms from listing restaurant reservations without written agreements from establishments.
  • Authorizes the Attorney General to impose civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation.
  • Creates a state fund from collected penalties to enforce restaurant reservation regulations.
  • Allows restaurants and authorized reservation services to sue unauthorized platforms for damages.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Josh Lowenthal
Josh LowenthalD
California State Assembly Member
Catherine Stefani
Catherine StefaniD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Members Stefani and Lowenthal's California Restaurant Reservation AntiPiracy Act aims to regulate how third-party services handle restaurant reservations by requiring written agreements between reservation platforms and food service establishments before listings can appear online. The legislation addresses unauthorized reservation practices by prohibiting third-party services from advertising or selling reservations without explicit permission from the restaurants.

The bill establishes enforcement mechanisms through both state and private actions. The Attorney General can pursue civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation, along with injunctive relief and attorney's fees. Individuals and businesses harmed by violations may seek actual damages, legal costs, and court-ordered remedies. A new California Restaurant Reservation AntiPiracy Act Fund would collect penalties recovered by the Attorney General, with disbursement subject to legislative appropriation for implementing the law.

The measure defines its scope by distinguishing between unauthorized third-party services and legitimate reservation distribution channels operating through contractual relationships. Food service establishments retain control over their reservation systems, while platforms must obtain written authorization before including restaurants in their services. This framework applies to websites, mobile applications, and other digital platforms facilitating dining reservations.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/21/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Introduced. To print.
Assembly Floor
Introduced. To print.
Introduced. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Jacqui IrwinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Cottie Petrie-NorrisD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Joe PattersonR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Josh LowenthalD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Liz OrtegaD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Carl DeMaioR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Alexandra MacedoR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine StefaniD
Assembly Member
Bill Author