Displaying items by tag: 2022 Legislative Session

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 25, 2022
CONTACT:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (202) 680-9262

Tallahassee, FL – The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice unanimously passed  Senate Bill 1534, Retail Theft, by Senator Jim Boyd in a 9-0 vote during its first stop. 

SB 1534 is a priority of Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Florida’s retail industry. The legislation will define and add penalties for organized retail theft in Florida.

Presented by Senator Ed Hooper on behalf of Senator Boyd, the legislation will implement additional tools to prosecute the growing crime of retail theft. The bill focuses on the activity of "boosters."

"Boosters" are criminals who steal multiple items from multiple retail locations in a short period of time. As a result, it is difficult to quantify how much in value was stolen from the premises. 

During Tuesday's meeting, Grace Lovett, Vice President of Government Affairs of the Florida Retail Federation, testified in support of this legislation. 

"Organized retail crime (ORC) is a multi-billion dollar problem for retailers that turns into a cost for consumers," explained Lovett. "It's getting worse. It's getting more frequent, and it's getting more dangerous. We are grateful to have an Attorney General that has made combatting ORC a priority. FRF and its members fully support this bill."

The National Retail Federation released a recent survey revealing that 69% of retailers saw an increase in organized retail crime over the past year. Sixty-five percent of retailers reported an increase in aggressive and violent gang activity than in years past. 

SB 944 and its companion, HB 1511 by Representative Chuck Clemons, will work to enable Florida's judicial system holds criminals accountable for their actions.

"Organized retail crime has grown significantly over the past two years," said Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. "This is not petty theft from a convenience store. Organized retail crime refers to criminal gangs that routinely steal hundreds, thousands and sometimes millions of dollars of merchandise from retailers. Thanks to General Moody, Senator Boyd and Representative Clemons, we’re standing up to the gangs."

Just last month, Florida made national news when more than $1 million in goods were stolen from a small business retail storefront in Palm Beach.

The proposed legislation from General Moody will help stop organized retail theft rings attempting to evade capture and prosecution.

SB 1534 is scheduled to be heard next in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice. 

ABOUT  THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION
The Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing retailers -- the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers provide one out of every five jobs in the state, pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 6, 2022
CONTACT: Amanda Bevis (202) 680-9262

Tallahassee, FL – Senator Dennis Baxley and Representative Jackie Toledo this session filed SB 944 and HB 1227 to prevent organized retail crime and inform and protect consumers from the sale of fraudulent goods in Florida. 

“The purchase of stolen goods poses significant safety threats and quality concerns for consumers,” said Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. “We are thankful for the leadership of Senator Baxley and Representative Toledo and their efforts to hinder illegal activity across online marketplaces. This legislation not only protects consumers but also inhibits organized retail crime.”

Online marketplace platforms have been misused by criminals to anonymously sell stolen merchandise and illicit goods to unsuspecting consumers in Florida. Currently, most online platforms do not require identification and are not monitored for criminal activity. As a result, the online marketplace has attracted organized criminal networks to take advantage of unsuspecting consumers. 

“Unregulated online marketplaces have fueled the growth of organized retail crime rings,” stated Senator Dennis Baxley. “This legislation will punish those that seek to take advantage of consumers online. We must hold these criminals accountable.”

“Organized retail crime is a growing threat to communities around our country and we will not tolerate it here in Florida,” shared Representative Toledo. “This legislation cracks down on crime and provides consumer protections to Floridians when shopping online. With HB 1227, we will fight to terminate the online black market of criminals profiting off Floridians and Florida businesses. These criminals are often linked to other unregulated crimes including the illegal drug trade and human trafficking. With greater online marketplace protections, we can help to shut down criminal gang activity in Florida.”

The National Retail Federation released a 2021 survey stating that 69% of retailers saw an increase in organized retail crime over the past year. Sixty-five percent of retailers reported an increase in aggressive and violent gang activity than in years past. 

Florida businesses suffer thousands of dollars in losses and damage at the hands of growing criminal rings. Thieves utilize “smash and grab” and other violent tactics on retail storefronts. Local retailers are left with physical damage to storefronts and grave concern for the safety of employees and customers. 

Florida consumers who purchase stolen goods through online marketplaces find themselves victims of fraud. The products available through third-party sellers can come without a guarantee, may be expired, damaged, tampered or even counterfeit. 

SB 944 and HB 1227 will help ensure the safe purchase of quality goods online and aid consumers to identify and verify the third-party seller on online marketplaces.

SB 944 and HB 1227 will strengthen consumer protections similar to the federal legislation known as the Integrity Notification and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces (INFORM) for Consumers Act.

The legislation will require online marketplace sellers to provide basic contact information including: 

• A valid email and phone number; 
• A government-issued photo ID; or
• Tax documentation with a physical address and tax identification number; and
• Bank account information.

In 2021, Arkansas enacted similar consumer protections into law. More than a dozen other states are considering similar policies.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA RETAIL FEDERATION
The Florida Retail Federation is the statewide trade association representing retailers -- the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers provide one out of every five jobs in the state, pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year.