Bill > SB1300

This bill strengthens Texas laws related to organized retail theft by expanding the definition of the offense and increasing criminal penalties. The bill broadens the definition of "organized retail theft" to include scenarios such as acting in concert with others to steal merchandise, stealing from a merchant on multiple occasions within 180 days, benefiting from theft conducted by others, or deliberately overwhelming merchant security to commit theft. The legislation introduces new provisions that make it easier to prosecute these cases, such as allowing indictments that don't require naming every stolen item and permitting evidence of previous theft offenses to demonstrate intent or concert of action. The bill also modifies how the value of stolen merchandise is calculated, using the merchant's posted sales price, and changes the penalty structure, escalating offenses from misdemeanors to felonies based on the total value of stolen goods. Significantly, the bill removes some previous limitations on prosecution, such as requiring proof of who specifically committed the theft, and creates a presumption of intent if a person alters price tags or transfers merchandise between packaging. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to offenses committed on or after that date.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1300