Judiciary Committee backs bill to coordinate federal response to organized retail theft
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Summary
H.R.2853 would create an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center to help investigate large-scale retail and cargo theft. The committee adopted a substitute and ordered the bill to the House with bipartisan support and some questions about placement within DHS versus DOJ.
The Judiciary Committee unanimously moved H.R.2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, forward after bipartisan discussion of rising multistate retail theft and supply-chain crime.
Sponsor Rep. Knott described organized retail crime as a national problem that drains an estimated $130 billion annually in direct costs and argued a federal coordination center is necessary to detect and dismantle interstate criminal networks. Ranking Member Rep. Raskin supported the measure but suggested consideration of placing the coordination center under the Department of Justice rather than DHS.
Members discussed details including aggregation thresholds for criminal charges, expanded definitions for monetary instruments (including gift cards), and a seven‑year sunset and congressional reporting requirements included in the text.
The committee adopted an amendment in the nature of a substitute (removing certain facility language) and ordered the bill reported favorably to the House. Members urged prompt floor consideration.
What happens next: The bill will be reported to the House; members will have two days to submit views and staff will prepare the committee report and technical edits.