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House Small Business Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development Subcommittee Ranking Member Young Kim (CA-39) introduced the Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act (H.R. 7499), a bipartisan bill to help address organized retail crimes hurting retailers and endangering public safety.
According to a 2019 report by the Retail Industry Leaders Association and Buy Safe America Coalition, as much as $68.9 billion worth of products were stolen from retailers in 2019. Retail crime results in $125.7 billion in lost economic activity, over 658,000 fewer jobs that would have paid almost $39.3 billion in wages and benefits to workers. It also costs federal and state governments nearly $15 billion in personal and business tax revenues, not including the lost sales taxes.
The Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act directs the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Postal Service and other relevant agencies to create a cohesive strategy and reporting to Congress on how the federal government can:
- Improve coordination and information sharing among federal law enforcement agencies;
- Increase collaboration with retailers, organized retail crime associations and state-run retail crime taskforces; and,
- Assist state and local authorities in compiling evidence for the prosecution of organized retail crime.
Reps. Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Maria Salazar (FL-27) and Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) joined Rep. Kim in introducing this bill as original cosponsors.
“Businesses need a safe environment to grow their enterprises and create jobs. Unfortunately, organized retail crime makes it harder for businesses to operate, hurts local economies and worsens public safety across U.S. communities,” said Kim. “I am proud to lead the charge to ensure the federal government is prioritizing and working with state and local law enforcement and entities to address organized retail crime and hold these criminal networks accountable, and I am grateful this can be a bipartisan effort. As a small business owner and Ranking Member of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development, I am fighting every day to allow our businesses to thrive.”
“Organized retail crime is a real threat to public safety and the economy. The Orange County Business Council is proud to support Rep. Kim’s efforts to better coordinate the federal response to these criminal enterprises so Orange County’s diverse, resilient retailers can be more assured these acts will be prevented and prosecuted,” said Jeff Ball, President and CEO, Orange County Business Council.
“Young Kim has always been a strong proponent of our small business community, and this chamber will continue to support policies like retail theft reform that enable our businesses to succeed,” said the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce.
“The rapid rise in organized retail crime in California is hurting employees, consumers and store owners and international crime rings are contributing to this problem. The federal government has an important role to play in stopping ORC. We appreciate the leadership of Congresswoman Kim and the co-sponsors of HR 7499 in bringing this legislation forward,” said Steve McCarthy, California Retailers Association Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy.
About Rep. Young Kim
An immigrant, small business owner, and former State Assemblywoman, U.S. Representative Young Kim serves the 39th Congressional District of California in the House of Representatives in the 117th Congress. She is one of the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress and serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Small Business Committee and the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
