S. 1404 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Apr 10, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryStrengthens federal penalties for retail theft rings
This bill gives federal authorities more tools to prosecute organized retail theft and supply chain crime. It makes it easier to charge theft of goods worth less individually but more cumulatively—so prosecutors can add up stolen items over a year instead of charging each one separately. The bill also treats these crimes as predicate offenses for money laundering charges and allows authorities to seize property and money tied to the crime. It expands federal money laundering laws to cover gift cards and prepaid cards used by theft rings. Finally, it creates a temporary coordination center within the Department of Homeland Security to focus federal law enforcement efforts on these crimes.
How it affects you
Retail stores and supply chain companies may see increased federal law enforcement support against organized theft rings that steal merchandise and resell it. If you work for a retailer or shipping company, this could mean more investigation of theft operations that affect your business. For most everyday shoppers, this is primarily felt indirectly through how it influences retail operations and may help reduce theft-driven costs, though the bill doesn't directly change what you experience as a consumer.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Apr 10, 2025)
Combating Organized Retail Crime Act
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.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1404
A BILL
Combating Organized Retail Crime Act
Sponsor: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) · Introduced Apr 10, 2025 · Crime and Law Enforcement · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 10, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.”