Improving the Federal Response to Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6651
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-09T16:31:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 6651: Improving the Federal Response to Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill directs specific federal agency leaders to create a coordinated strategy aimed at strengthening federal efforts to investigate organized retail crime. It seeks to enhance information sharing, support local prosecutions, and foster partnerships with the retail sector.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Strategy Development: Within 180 days of enactment, the Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, Postmaster General, and heads of relevant agencies must develop a strategy to:
- Improve information sharing on organized retail crime networks among the FBI Director, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, Homeland Security Investigations Executive Associate Director, Secret Service Director, Postmaster General, and other relevant agencies.
- Help state and local law enforcement gather evidence for prosecuting organized retail crime cases.
- Increase cooperation and information sharing with the retail industry, state retail crime task forces, and other related task forces.
- Reporting Requirement: The same officials must submit a joint report on the strategy to designated congressional committees within 180 days.
- Comptroller General Report: Within one year, the Comptroller General must issue a report examining coordination between the private sector and law enforcement to prevent and investigate organized retail crime.
- Definitions: The bill defines key terms, including:
- Organized retail crime: Coordinated illegal acquisition of retail goods via theft, embezzlement, fraud, or other illegal means under federal or state law, intended for sale or distribution in interstate commerce.
- Organized retail crime network: A criminal group involved in such activities.
- Relevant agency: Any federal agency identified by the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security as having a role in information sharing or investigations.
- Relevant committees: Specific House and Senate committees focused on judiciary, homeland security, and oversight matters.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
The legislation does not amend or repeal any existing statutes. Instead, it introduces new requirements for interagency strategy development and reporting on organized retail crime, establishing formal coordination processes where none were previously mandated by this specific act.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal entities like the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Postal Service would need to align operations more closely, potentially improving efficiency in investigations but requiring additional resources for strategy implementation and reporting.
- On Citizens: Enhanced investigations could lead to reduced retail theft, benefiting consumers through lower costs and safer shopping environments, though direct effects on individuals are indirect.
- On International Relations: No provisions address international matters, so impacts in this area are not anticipated.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies, including the FBI, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security Investigations, Secret Service, and U.S. Postal Service.
- State and local law enforcement agencies.
- The retail industry and related task forces.
- Congressional committees on judiciary, homeland security, and government oversight.
- The Comptroller General for oversight reporting.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill emphasizes interagency collaboration without altering constitutional powers or creating new legal authorities. It raises no apparent constitutional concerns, as it operates within existing federal roles. Politically, it focuses on addressing organized retail crime through administrative coordination rather than new enforcement powers or funding allocations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
- 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Improving the Federal Response to Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (4 pages)