Signed by Governor Kevin Stitt

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with house amendments and pass a bill that authorizes the creation of an Oklahoma organized retail crime task force.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Oklahoma Organized Retail Crime Task Force with the purpose of providing the Legislature and Governor with information on organized retail crime and advantages and drawbacks from various countermeasures put in place to counter losses from retail theft in the state (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the task force be made up of 15 members as follows (Sec. 1):

• 3 members appointed by the Governor, one who is required to represent state or local law enforcement;

• 2 members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate;

• 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives;

• 1 member appointed by the District Attorneys Council;

• 1 member appointed by the Oklahoma Retail Merchants Association;

• 1 member appointed by the State Chamber;

• 1 member appointed by the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association;

• 1 member appointed by the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police;

• 1 member appointed by the Attorney General;

• 1 member from the Convenience Distributors of Oklahoma;

• 1 member from the Oklahoma Grocers Association.

• Requires a minimum of 8 members for official task force business (Sec. 1).

• Requires a chairperson and vice chairperson to be elected by a majority vote of task force members (Sec. 1).

• Requires that appointment to the task force be made no later than 60 days after this act goes into effect (Sec. 1).

• Requires that members have education, experience, or knowledge of organized retail theft (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the chair holds the first meeting of the task force no later than 90 days after this act goes into effect (Sec. 1).

• Requires that any vacancies on the task force be filled in the same manner followed or the initial appointment (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the task force members receive no compensation but receive travel reimbursement for necessary travel while performing their duties (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the task force to consult with any organization or government agency (Sec. 1).

• Requires the task force submit a report before December 15, 2024 containing (Sec. 1): 

• A review on laws and regulations on organized retail crime used by other states and governments to regulate the marketplace;

• Use of organized retail theft’s impact on state and local tax receipts;

• The need for interagency coordination on public education, outreach, and prevention programs for business owners;

• Legislative and regulatory recommendations to increase transparency and security, consumer protections, prevent organized retail theft, and address the long-term economic impact related to organized retail crime.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that authorizes the creation of an Oklahoma organized retail crime task force.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Oklahoma Organized Retail Crime Task Force with the purpose of providing the Legislature and Governor with information on organized retail crime and advantages and drawbacks from various countermeasures put in place to counter losses from retail theft in the state (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the task force be made up of 15 members as follows (Sec. 1):

• 3 members appointed by the Governor, one who is required to represent state or local law enforcement;

• 2 members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate;

• 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives;

• 1 member appointed by the District Attorneys Council;

• 1 member appointed by the Oklahoma Retail Merchants Association;

• 1 member appointed by the State Chamber;

• 1 member appointed by the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association;

• 1 member appointed by the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police;

• 1 member appointed by the Attorney General;

• 1 member from the Convenience Distributors of Oklahoma;

• 1 member from the Oklahoma Grocers Association.

• Requires a minimum of 8 members for official task force business (Sec. 1).

• Requires a chairperson and vice chairperson to be elected by a majority vote of task force members (Sec. 1).

• Requires that appointment to the task force be made no later than 60 days after this act goes into effect (Sec. 1).

• Requires that members have education, experience, or knowledge of organized retail theft (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the chair holds the first meeting of the task force no later than 90 days after this act goes into effect (Sec. 1).

• Requires that any vacancies on the task force be filled in the same manner followed or the initial appointment (Sec. 1).

• Requires that the task force members receive no compensation but receive travel reimbursement for necessary travel while performing their duties (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the task force to consult with any organization or government agency (Sec. 1).

• Requires the task force submit a report before December 15, 2024 containing (Sec. 1): 

• A review on laws and regulations on organized retail crime used by other states and governments to regulate the marketplace;

• Use of organized retail theft’s impact on state and local tax receipts;

• The need for interagency coordination on public education, outreach, and prevention programs for business owners;

• Legislative and regulatory recommendations to increase transparency and security, consumer protections, prevent organized retail theft, and address the long-term economic impact related to organized retail crime.

Full Bill Text