Florida lawmakers are taking significant steps to combat the misuse of restaurant reservations by third-party platforms. During a recent meeting of the Committee on Regulated Industries, legislators discussed the introduction of the Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act, aimed at curbing the practice of automated bots that reserve tables and resell them at inflated prices.

The bill addresses a growing concern among restaurant owners who report losing potential customers due to these bots, which often reserve tables without providing necessary consumer information. This lack of transparency has led to empty tables and lost revenue for restaurants, as reservations are made but not honored.

Key amendments to the bill include a broader definition of third-party reservation platforms, which now encompasses those without a contractual agreement with restaurants. This change aims to ensure that any platform making reservations must provide the restaurant with the consumer's name and contact information, thereby increasing accountability and reducing the number of no-show reservations.

Samantha Padgett, vice president of government relations for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, expressed strong support for the legislation, emphasizing its importance in protecting the restaurant industry. She highlighted that while it is challenging to regulate the bots themselves, the bill effectively targets the marketplace by prohibiting the sale of reservations without a direct relationship with the restaurant.

The committee's discussions also touched on the complexities of enforcing these regulations, particularly concerning bots that may operate from overseas. However, the focus remains on regulating the third-party platforms that profit from these practices, ensuring that consumers can access reservations without the burden of inflated prices.

As the bill moves forward, lawmakers are committed to refining its language to address concerns about potential unintended consequences for various reservation platforms. The goal is to create a fair and transparent system that benefits both consumers and restaurants alike.