Bill
Bill > A3318
NJ A3318
NJ A3318Bans unauthorized restaurant reservation arrangement by third-party reservation service.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill bans the unauthorized arrangement by a third-party restaurant reservation service to advertise, list, promote, or sell reservations for a food service establishment without a written agreement between the third-party restaurant reservation service and the food service establishment. The bill defines "food service establishment" to mean a place where food is provided for individual portion service directly to the consumer whether that food is provided free of charge or sold, and whether consumption occurs on or off the premises or is provided from a pushcart, stand, or vehicle. Under the bill, "third-party restaurant reservation service" means any website, mobile application, or other internet service that: offers or arranges for reserving on-premises service for a customer at a food service establishment; and that is owned and operated by a person other than the person who owns the food service establishment. The bill provides that any person who violates its provisions is subject to a civil penalty that will not exceed $500 for each violation, and that a violation by a third-party restaurant reservation service under the bill will accrue on a daily basis for each day and for each food service establishment with respect to which a violation of the bill was committed. Under the bill, any person charged fees by a third-party restaurant reservation service that with respect to a reservation advertised, listed, promoted, or sold in violation of the bill, or food service establishment which a third-party restaurant reservation service advertised, listed, promoted, or sold a reservation in violation of the bill's provisions, may bring a civil action in the Superior Court for: (a) injunctive relief to restrain or enjoin any activity in violation of the bill; (b) actual damages not to exceed the total fees collected by the third-party restaurant reservation service in violation of the bill; (c) attorney's fees and costs; and (d) any other remedy as the court may deem appropriate. The bill provides that any action alleging a violation of the bill is required to be brought within one year after the alleged violation of the bill occurs. This bill mirrors legislation enacted by Illinois prohibiting a third-party restaurant reservation service from listing, advertising, promoting, or selling reservations for a food service establishment without a written agreement between the third-party restaurant reservation service and the food service establishment.
AI Summary
This bill prohibits third-party restaurant reservation services, defined as websites or apps that arrange reservations for a restaurant and are not owned by the restaurant itself, from advertising, listing, promoting, or selling reservations for any food service establishment, which includes any place serving food directly to consumers, without a written agreement from that establishment. Violators face a civil penalty of up to $500 per day for each restaurant affected, and individuals or restaurants harmed by such unauthorized listings can sue for court orders to stop the activity, recover actual damages up to the fees collected by the service, and seek attorney's fees and costs, with all legal actions required to be filed within one year of the violation.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (5)
Katie Brennan (D)*,
Clinton Calabrese (D)*,
William Sampson (D)*,
Ravi S. Bhalla (D),
Carol Murphy (D),
Last Action
Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading (on 02/12/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3318 |
| Analysis - Statement ACO 2/12/26 | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3500/3318_S1.PDF |
| Analysis - Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3500/3318_T1.PDF |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3500/3318_I1.HTM |
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