H.R.3403 - Supporting Equal Access to Tables Act of 2025; SEAT Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3403, the Supporting Equal Access to Tables Act of 2025 (SEAT Act of 2025), aims to regulate third-party restaurant reservation services. It requires these services to have written agreements with restaurants before listing, promoting, or selling reservations for those establishments. The bill also empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce these regulations, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices.
Expected Effects
The SEAT Act will likely change how restaurants and third-party reservation services interact. Restaurants will gain more control over their reservation systems and how they are presented on third-party platforms. Consumers might see changes in reservation availability and pricing as a result of these new agreements.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Restaurant Control: Restaurants gain control over their reservation listings on third-party platforms.
- Fairer Agreements: The bill prevents third-party services from including indemnification clauses that unfairly burden restaurants.
- Consumer Protection: By regulating third-party services, the bill aims to prevent deceptive practices related to restaurant reservations.
- FTC Enforcement: The FTC's enforcement powers ensure compliance and provide a mechanism for addressing violations.
- Level Playing Field: The act promotes a more equitable relationship between restaurants and third-party reservation services.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced Consumer Choice: Some consumers may find fewer reservation options if restaurants choose not to partner with certain third-party services.
- Increased Costs for Restaurants: Restaurants may incur costs associated with negotiating and managing agreements with multiple third-party services.
- Potential for Higher Prices: Third-party services may increase their fees to restaurants to offset compliance costs, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers.
- Limited Innovation: The regulations could stifle innovation in the third-party reservation service market.
- Enforcement Challenges: The FTC may face challenges in monitoring and enforcing compliance across all third-party reservation services.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's focus on regulating commerce aligns with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. By regulating third-party reservation services that operate across state lines, the SEAT Act falls within the scope of this constitutional authority. The enforcement mechanism through the FTC is also consistent with the established role of administrative agencies in implementing and enforcing laws passed by Congress.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).