Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) introduced the bipartisan Improving the Federal Response to Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 to strengthen federal coordination and better equip law enforcement to crack down on organized retail crime.
Organized retail crime (ORC) has surged nationwide and is especially prevalent in California, where more than 1,500 organized retail theft charges have been filed in L.A. County alone and shoplifting has spiked 48% since before the pandemic. Despite large-scale losses, federal coordination on ORC remains fragmented.
“For too long, Governor Newsom has allowed crime, theft, and fraud to run rampant in our communities. Small businesses already run on tight margins, and they can’t afford to shoulder Sacramento’s negligence,” said Rep. Young Kim. “This bill creates a clear federal strategy to better track organized theft rings, improve information-sharing, and support state and local investigations. By bringing the relevant agencies to the table and strengthening coordination, we can more effectively disrupt these criminal networks and protect workers, consumers, and small businesses.”
“Organized retail crime rings continue to threaten the safety of shoppers and the livelihoods of retailers and small businesses in the 19th Congressional District, especially as we enter into the holiday shopping season,” said Rep. Panetta. “By streamlining how agencies coordinate with each other, the Improving the Federal Response to Organized Retail Crime Act will help federal, state, and local law enforcement in their efforts to crack down on those types of criminal organizations. It’s impactful, bipartisan legislation that would ensure that the federal government is playing its part to protect consumers, employees, employers, and our communities.”
The Improving the Federal Response to Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 requires the Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, Postmaster General, and other relevant federal agencies to jointly develop a strategy to:
- Improve information sharing between federal law enforcement agencies on ORC networks;
- Assist state and local law enforcement in compiling materials and evidence necessary for prosecution of organized retail crime;
- Increase cooperation and information sharing between federal agencies, state retail crime task forces, other retail crime task forces, and the retail industry; and
- Report the joint strategy and recommendations to relevant House and Senate committees within 180 days of enactment.
Additionally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to publish, within one year of enactment, a report examining coordination between the private sector and law enforcement to better deter and investigate ORC.
Read full bill text HERE.
