US Federal House Bill HB3403

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/14/25
• Refer: 5/14/25

Caption

SEAT Act of 2025

Summary

HB3403, the Supporting Equal Access to Tables Act of 2025 (SEAT Act of 2025), would regulate third-party restaurant reservation services by allowing them to list, promote, sell, or advertise reservations only when they have a written agreement with the food service establishment or with a contractual designee that has been granted reservation distribution rights by the establishment. In effect, the bill is aimed at preventing unauthorized reservation listings and arrangements by outside platforms or intermediaries. The bill also bars agreements from requiring restaurants to indemnify the reservation service, its contractors, or agents for damages or harm caused by the service’s own acts or omissions, and it voids any such indemnification clause if included. The measure defines covered establishments broadly to include restaurants, bars, brewpubs, tasting rooms, and similar venues, including those located inside larger facilities such as airports, stadiums, hotels, amusement parks, and retail complexes. It applies 180 days after enactment and directs enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission by treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the FTC Act.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would create a new federal rule governing online and app-based restaurant reservation marketplaces, preempting or supplementing existing state consumer-protection and contract-law approaches in this area. It would give the FTC authority to enforce compliance, subject violators to FTC Act remedies, and invalidate certain indemnification provisions in reservation-service agreements. Restaurants, bars, hospitality venues, and reservation-platform operators would be the primary affected parties.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the available record suggests a neutral-to-supportive framing focused on protecting restaurants from unauthorized reservation practices and unfair contract terms. The bill’s title and structure indicate an intent to promote fair access and control for establishments over their reservation inventory. No formal opposition, amendments, or recorded vote history is provided in the available materials.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely to be the balance of power between restaurants and third-party reservation platforms: supporters would view the bill as protecting businesses from unauthorized listings and one-sided indemnification clauses, while critics may argue it restricts platform flexibility or imposes compliance burdens on digital marketplaces. Another potential issue is the breadth of the definition of covered establishments, which extends beyond traditional restaurants to bars, tasting rooms, and venues inside larger complexes, potentially sweeping in a wide range of hospitality businesses. Because no committee transcript or vote record is available, specific named opponents or supporters cannot be identified from the provided materials.