House · HR 2853 · 119th Congress
Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025
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Summary
This bill creates stronger federal tools to fight organized retail theft and cargo theft. It lets prosecutors add up smaller thefts over a year to meet the dollar limit for federal charges. It also sets up a new coordination center inside the Department of Homeland Security to help federal, state, and local law enforcement work together.
In Favor
Organized theft rings have grown more violent and now cross state lines, making them hard for local police to stop alone. This bill lets prosecutors combine smaller thefts to build stronger cases against large criminal networks. The new coordination center gives law enforcement a shared hub to track and take down these groups more effectively.
Against
The bill lets prosecutors combine small thefts over a year to trigger federal charges, meaning minor offenders could face severe federal sentences meant for large criminal networks. The new center requires staffing from seven federal agencies on a sustained basis, locking in long-term commitments without guaranteed funding. These costs fall on agencies already stretched thin across other national priorities.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
The bill targets organized groups that steal retail goods and cargo, then resell those goods through stores or online markets. It adds new federal legal tools and creates a coordination center to help law enforcement work across state and national borders.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill stays on topic throughout. It updates theft and money laundering laws, adds gift cards and prepaid cards to existing money rules, and creates a coordination center inside the Department of Homeland Security, all tied to organized retail and cargo theft.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Retailers, product makers, and shipping companies could see increased federal support against theft. Federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and the Secret Service take on new coordination duties. State and local law enforcement agencies gain access to federal assistance and information sharing.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not state a specific dollar amount or include a CBO cost estimate. It requires the federal government to build and staff a new coordination center, conduct program reviews, and issue guidance, all of which place new operating costs on existing agencies.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
The center must be built within 90 days, which is a tight window for hiring staff and setting up information systems across multiple agencies. The center automatically closes after 7 years, so any partnerships or systems built may need to be transferred or shut down at that point.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 6/5/2026