House Bill No. [insert number] aims to combat restaurant reservation fraud by enacting Chapter 69 of Title 51 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, specifically R.S. 51:3291. The bill defines key terms such as "food service establishment" and "third-party restaurant reservation platform." It stipulates that a third-party platform cannot list or sell reservations for a food service establishment unless there is a written agreement in place with that establishment or its designee. This measure is intended to protect restaurants from unauthorized reservations and ensure that consumers are not misled.

Additionally, the bill grants the attorney general the authority to impose civil penalties of up to $1,000 for each violation of the new provisions, with penalties accruing daily for each infraction. The funds collected from these penalties will be allocated to initiatives aimed at promoting consumer protection and education. This legislation seeks to create a more transparent and fair environment for both food service establishments and consumers engaging in reservation practices.