The bill addresses the increasing threat of organized retail crime, affecting retailers, manufacturers, and the economy. It seeks to close loopholes in the law, enhance law enforcement capabilities, and establish a central coordination center for federal, state, and local efforts. The amendments broaden the definition of stolen goods, increase penalties, and address interstate and foreign theft. The bill establishes the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center, tasked with coordinating law enforcement activities, establishing relationships with state and local agencies, tracking crime trends, and providing training. The Center's authority will end after seven years, and reporting and evaluation of federal programs are required.
Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025
This bill expands federal enforcement of criminal offenses related to organized retail and supply chain crime. The term organized retail and supply chain crime includes criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property, the sale or receipt of stolen goods, or theft from an interstate or foreign shipment that is committed by, in coordination with, or at the instruction of an organization.
First, with respect to criminal offenses involving the interstate transportation of stolen property or the sale or receipt of stolen goods, the bill broadens the scope of conduct that qualifies as offenses by allowing prosecutions to be based on the aggregate value of stolen items over a 12-month period. Additionally, the bill makes the offenses predicate offenses (i.e., underlying offenses) for prosecutions under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any property obtained from the proceeds of an offense.
Second, with respect to criminal offenses involving theft from an interstate or foreign shipment, the bill also makes an offense an underlying offense for prosecution under the federal money laundering statute and authorizes the criminal forfeiture of any associated property.
Third, the bill expands the federal money laundering statute to include offenses involving general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, or store gift cards.
Finally, the bill temporarily establishes a center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal law enforcement activities related to organized retail and supply chain crime.
