CaliforniaPeople may not resell restaurant reservations above their cost
People in California may not resell or arrange the sale of restaurant reservations above their cost unless the restaurant expressly agrees in writing.
What it does
People may not sell or arrange the sale of a restaurant reservation for more than they paid to get it, unless the restaurant expressly allows the higher price in a written agreement.
Public officials may seek up to $1,000 per violation and court orders. People or groups harmed by a violation may sue for damages and other relief.
Civil penalties the Attorney General recovers under the chapter must go into the Public Rights Law Enforcement Special Fund.
Argument forDiners may face fewer above-cost reservation resales because sellers and people arranging sales must stay within what they paid, unless the restaurant agrees in writing.
Argument againstPeople who resell reservations may have fewer ways to charge for their effort if they cannot get the restaurant’s written approval.
More detail
People may not sell or arrange the sale of a restaurant reservation for more than they paid to get it. This applies to reservations at California retail food establishments that prepare, serve, and sell food directly to customers. A person may charge more if they have a written agreement with the restaurant that expressly allows it. The restriction takes effect January 1, 2027.
Public officials may seek civil penalties and court orders, and people harmed by a violation may seek damages and other court relief. These remedies apply to violations of the reservation pricing rule. The Attorney General, county counsel, or a city attorney may bring an action for a penalty of up to $1,000 per violation, court orders, and reasonable attorney’s fees. A person or entity that suffers actual harm may sue for actual damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, court orders, and other relief the court allows. The remedies apply to violations of the chapter.
The Attorney General must deposit civil penalties recovered under the chapter into the Public Rights Law Enforcement Special Fund. This applies to civil penalties recovered by the Attorney General under this chapter. The deposit is required when the Attorney General recovers a civil penalty under the chapter.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 27Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 475, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 27Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 8Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3:30 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 28Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 6791.).Major
- Vote recorded AB 1640 Stefani Concurrence in Senate Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 27In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
- Vote recorded Special Consent AB1640 Stefani et al. By Cabaldon. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 27Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.).Passed Senate
- Aug 25Ordered to special consent calendar.
- Aug 17Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 13Read second time and amended. Ordered returned to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 13From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 13).Major
- Aug 3In committee: Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 29From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 22From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.Major
- Jun 18Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on B. P. & E.D.Major
- Jun 17From committee: Amend, and do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on B. P. & E.D. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 16).Major
- Jun 16
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Business, Professions and Economic Development] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 3Referred to Coms. on JUD. and B. P. & E.D.Minor
- May 27In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.Minor
- May 26Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 5294.)Passed Assembly
- Vote recorded AB 1640 Stefani Assembly Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.Minor
- Apr 8From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (April 7). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Apr 7
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary] with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Re-referred to Com. on P. & C.P.Minor
- Mar 2From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on P. & C.P. Read second time and amended.Major
- Mar 2Referred to Coms. on P. & C.P. and JUD.Minor
- Jan 28From printer. May be heard in committee February 27.
- Jan 27Read first time. To print.Introduced
Consumer ProtectionCivil Rights & VotingGovernment & Ethics