The U.S. House Judiciary Committee approved a bill, sponsored by Congressman Dave Joyce, that targets theft, fraud and other organized crimes against retail stores and various parts of the country’s supply chain.

The committee approved the bill Tuesday by a unanimous consent voice vote, sending it to the full House for consideration.

Joyce, R-Bainbridge, whose district includes all of Trumbull County, introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act on April 10, 2025. There are seven other lead House sponsors of the bipartisan bill and 190 cosponsors.

The bill is sponsored in the Senate by Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, and Catherine Cortez Masto, a New Mexico Democrat.

The bill would establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center in Homeland Security Investigations at the Department of Homeland Security. The center would allow increased collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, along with retail crime associations and subject matter experts, to create a cohesive strategy to combat retail crimes and share resources.

Joyce said, “Unfortunately, the rise in organized retail crime impacts us all, either directly or indirectly. Criminal enterprises are hurting our small businesses, disrupting supply chains and placing consumers in danger. Their illicit activities also contribute to other crimes across the country, as stolen goods are often sold to finance drug and human trafficking rings.”

Joyce first introduced the bill Feb. 9, 2023, in the House. It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, which never held a hearing despite 140 members signing on as cosponsors. The companion was introduced Jan. 30, 2023, in the Senate and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee without a hearing.

The new bill, like the one from 2023, seeks to broaden the scope of conduct that qualifies as offenses and allow for prosecution under the federal money laundering statute.

There was a 19% increase in shoplifting and merchandise theft incidents from 2023 to 2024, according to the National Retail Federation. Stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023, compared to $61.7 billion in 2019.

Also, product manufacturers and the supply chain are seeing a rise in organized cargo theft across rails, road and distribution points.

The bill seeks to improve enforcement capabilities and foster coordination among various law enforcement agencies while safeguarding commerce, consumer confidence and national security.