H.R. 2853 — Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, as amended
Executive Summary
The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 addresses the escalating financial and physical toll of organized retail crime (ORC) and cargo theft on the U.S. economy. The bill modernizes federal criminal statutes by allowing prosecutors to aggregate the value of stolen goods over a 12-month period to meet the $5,000 federal threshold, and expands money laundering definitions to include gift cards and prepaid cards. Furthermore, it establishes a dedicated Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security to synchronize federal, state, local, and private sector investigative efforts.
Arguments For
- Argument 1: The 'Main Street' economic case. ORC is driving up consumer prices, forcing store closures in vulnerable communities, and threatening retail workers. This bill provides a direct federal response to a highly visible 'kitchen table' issue.
- Argument 2: The 'Force Multiplier' case. Local law enforcement is often outmatched by sophisticated, multi-state theft rings. By allowing the aggregation of thefts and establishing a federal coordination center, the bill gives local police the federal backing and intelligence sharing needed to dismantle the top of the criminal hierarchy.
Likely Supporters
Arguments Against
- Argument 1: The 'Federal Overreach' case. Criminal justice reform advocates argue this over-federalizes local property crimes, potentially leading to harsher federal sentences for lower-level offenders and reversing recent state-level criminal justice reforms.
- Argument 2: Implementation and Turf War risks. Establishing a new coordination center under DHS (Homeland Security Investigations) while requiring heavy involvement from DOJ (FBI) could lead to interagency friction over jurisdiction and resource allocation.
Likely Opponents
📋 Key Provisions
- Amends 18 U.S.C. §§ 2314 and 2315 to allow the aggregation of stolen goods' value to $5,000 or more over a 12-month period to trigger federal jurisdiction.
- Expands federal money laundering statutes (18 U.S.C. § 1956) to explicitly include general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, and store gift cards.
- Establishes the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within DHS (Homeland Security Investigations) to coordinate multi-jurisdictional investigations and share intelligence with the private sector.
- Mandates a joint evaluation by the DHS Secretary and Attorney General of existing federal grant programs to expand training and technical assistance for state and local law enforcement combating ORC.
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Allows aggregation of stolen goods to reach $5,000 over a 12-month period.
"or of an aggregate value of $5,000 or more during any 12-month period"
Expands money laundering definitions to include gift cards.
"money orders, general-use prepaid cards, gift certificates, and store gift cards"
Establishes the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center.
"ganized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordina"
Requires an evaluation of existing federal grant programs within 180 days.
"Not later than 180 days after the date"