HR2853-119

What This Bill Does

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 gives federal law enforcement more tools against organized retail theft, cargo theft, and supply-chain diversion. Congress cites rising retail larceny, violence against employees and customers, cargo theft increases, reselling of stolen goods, cybercriminal shipment diversion, and transnational organized theft groups. The bill amends title 18 forfeiture and money-laundering provisions so offenses involving interstate or foreign shipments, transportation of stolen goods, and sale or receipt of stolen goods are covered. It also expands sections 2314 and 2315 so aggregation over a 12-month period can meet the $5,000 threshold and so stolen, embezzled, fraudulently obtained, or falsely obtained goods moved through interstate or foreign commerce facilities are covered.

Who Benefits and How

Retailers benefit because federal prosecutors and investigators gain forfeiture, money-laundering, and interstate-commerce tools against organized retail theft groups. Product manufacturers benefit from stronger federal attention to cargo theft, counterfeit distribution channels, and supply-chain diversion. Cargo carriers benefit from a coordination center focused on theft across rails, roads, containers, warehouses, and distribution points. State law enforcement agencies and local police departments benefit from DHS/HSI coordination, information sharing, training, technical assistance, and assistance with investigations. Retail industry associations and cargo theft associations benefit from formal relationships with the new center.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Organized retail theft rings face higher forfeiture exposure, money-laundering exposure, and federal prosecution risk. Individuals transporting or receiving stolen goods face broader liability when aggregated thefts exceed $5,000 in a 12-month period or use interstate or foreign commerce facilities. Homeland Security Investigations must establish and staff the center within 90 days. DHS, DOJ, FBI, Secret Service, Postal Inspection Service, CBP, ATF, DEA, and FMCSA must supply staff, coordination, grant evaluation, guidance, or technical assistance. Private-sector companies sharing investigative information must work through operational confidentiality rules.

Key Provisions

• Amends title 18 forfeiture law to add sections 659, 2314, and 2315 to covered organized retail and supply-chain crime predicates.
• Expands money-laundering definitions to include general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, store gift cards, and theft-related predicate offenses.
• Expands sections 2314 and 2315 to cover aggregate $5,000 thefts over 12 months and use of interstate or foreign commerce facilities.
• Creates the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center inside Homeland Security Investigations within 90 days.
• Requires the center to coordinate federal investigations, support state and local investigations, build retail and transportation company relationships, share threat information, and issue annual public trend reports.
• Requires staff or detailees from HSI, CBP, Secret Service, Postal Inspection Service, ATF, DEA, FBI, FMCSA, and possibly state or local law enforcement.
• Requires DHS and DOJ to evaluate grant, training, and technical-support programs within 180 days and issue guidance after reporting to Congress.
• Sunsets the center seven years after establishment and requires wind-down actions.