BODEGA Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2018

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-10: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2025-03-26T14:26:38Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The BODEGA Act of 2025 aims to enhance the safety of small grocery store owners (often called bodegas) by expanding federal grant funding to support the installation of security measures in their businesses. It amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to include these businesses as eligible recipients of Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne-JAG) funds, which are federal grants used to support state and local crime-fighting efforts.

Key Provisions

• Expanded Grant Uses: Adds a new allowable use for Byrne-JAG funds under Section 501(a)(1) of the Act, permitting the installation of panic buttons (devices that alert authorities during emergencies) and surveillance equipment (such as cameras) in private businesses.
• Eligible Recipients: Amends Section 501(b) to include private businesses classified under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 445131, which covers grocery stores and convenience stores like bodegas, as direct recipients of these grants. Previously, eligibility was limited to government entities and certain nonprofits.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Broadening Fund Allocation: The original Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act restricted Byrne-JAG funds primarily to public agencies and nonprofits for crime prevention. This bill introduces private businesses—specifically small grocery stores—as new eligible recipients, marking a shift toward direct support for private sector security enhancements.
• New Security-Focused Category: Introduces a specific category for panic buttons and surveillance in the list of permissible grant expenditures, which were not explicitly covered before.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: State and local law enforcement and grant administrators (e.g., those handling Byrne-JAG allocations) may see increased applications and distribution responsibilities, potentially streamlining funding for targeted crime prevention in retail settings.
• On Citizens: Bodega owners and employees, often in high-crime urban areas, could benefit from improved personal safety and business protection, leading to reduced incidents of robbery or violence. Communities may experience indirect benefits through safer local stores and potentially lower crime rates.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic crime control and small business support within the U.S.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Bodega and Grocery Store Owners: Primary beneficiaries, gaining access to federal funds for security upgrades to protect against theft and violence.
• Law Enforcement and Grant Administrators: State and local agencies that distribute Byrne-JAG funds, who must now process applications from private businesses.
• Urban Communities: Residents in areas with high concentrations of small grocery stores, who may see enhanced local security.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Expands the scope of federal grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act without altering core eligibility criteria for other recipients, ensuring compliance with existing grant oversight requirements. NAICS code specificity provides clear boundaries but may require updates if classification systems change.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I, Section 8, to promote public safety, with no apparent conflicts to federalism principles as grants flow through state/local channels.
• Political: Targets a niche group (small, often immigrant-owned urban retailers), potentially addressing concerns about retail crime in cities like New York, but could spark debates on prioritizing private businesses over broader public programs in limited federal funding.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-10: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-03-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Bodega Owner Defense Enhancement Grant Assistance Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-10 — PDF (2 pages)