Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Official Summary
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.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 aims to enhance federal enforcement against organized retail and supply chain crime. It broadens the definition of offenses related to the interstate transportation and sale of stolen goods by considering the aggregate value of stolen items over a 12-month period. The bill also designates these offenses as predicate crimes for federal money laundering prosecutions and authorizes criminal forfeiture of property obtained from such crimes. Additionally, it expands money laundering statutes to cover offenses involving prepaid cards, gift certificates, and store gift cards. The bill establishes a temporary center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal law enforcement efforts targeting organized retail and supply chain crime.
This bill strengthens federal tools to combat organized retail and supply chain crime by expanding prosecutorial scope, enhancing money laundering provisions, and creating a coordinating center within DHS.
- Expands the scope of prosecutable offenses to include aggregate stolen property value over 12 months.
- Designates organized retail and supply chain crimes as predicate offenses for federal money laundering laws.
- Authorizes criminal forfeiture of property obtained from these offenses.
- Includes offenses involving prepaid cards, gift certificates, and store gift cards under money laundering statutes.
- Creates a temporary DHS center to coordinate federal law enforcement activities related to these crimes.
['Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice', 'Retailers and supply chain businesses affected by organized theft', 'Consumers potentially benefiting from reduced organized retail crime']
['Implementation challenges in coordinating multiple federal agencies through the new DHS center', 'Potential costs associated with establishing and operating the temporary DHS center', 'Expanded prosecutorial authority may require additional oversight to ensure proper use', 'Broadening the definition of offenses based on aggregate value over time could raise evidentiary or legal complexity']
The bill was introduced in the House during the 119th Congress and has been received in the Senate, where it was referred to the Judiciary Committee. It addresses concerns about organized retail crime and supply chain theft, reflecting ongoing legislative efforts to enhance federal criminal enforcement in these areas. The bill's progress indicates bipartisan interest in tackling organized retail crime through federal statutes and coordination.
High concern review — 3 hidden impact flags detected
GovScope reviewed 3 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
['Potential increase in federal prosecutions related to organized retail crime due to broader offense definitions.', 'Greater resource demands on federal law enforcement agencies for coordination and investigation.', 'Possible deterrent effect on organized retail theft and related criminal activities.', 'Increased legal complexity in prosecuting cases involving aggregated stolen property values and financial instruments.']
The bill expands federal criminal enforcement authority and creates a new coordinating entity within DHS, which may require oversight to ensure effective interagency collaboration and appropriate use of expanded prosecutorial powers. Transparency regarding the operation and funding of the temporary DHS center will be important for public accountability. The absence of full bill text limits detailed analysis of specific provisions and enforcement mechanisms.
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