Urges Congress and President to enact "Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023."
Impact
AR199 conveys the urgent need for increased resources for law enforcement to combat organized retail crime effectively. Among the provisions of the federal legislation are the strengthening of federal money laundering statutes and the establishment of a dedicated Center to Combat Organized Retail Crime within the Department of Homeland Security. By enhancing law enforcement capabilities, the bill aims to mitigate the financial losses incurred by retailers and the associated societal risks posed by such crimes. This will ultimately lead to improved safety in retail environments and may reduce consumers' cost burden due to retailers facing increased prices that often stem from these losses.
Summary
Assembly Resolution AR199 urges Congress and the President of the United States to enact the 'Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023,' which is currently pending as H.R.895 and S.140. This resolution aims to address the rising issue of organized retail crime, which involves large-scale thefts aimed at reselling stolen items, both online and in-person. As retail crime escalates, the resolution highlights the significant economic damages it incurs, estimated at $100 billion annually in 2023. The impact of these crimes is not only financial but also contributes to increasing violence within retail environments, endangering both consumers and employees alike.
Contention
While AR199 focuses on a critical public safety issue, it may also raise discussions about the effectiveness of legislative measures in addressing deeply rooted economic crimes. Critics may question whether allocating additional resources to law enforcement alone will curb the rise of organized retail crime, or if it will simply shuffle the problem elsewhere. Furthermore, the collaboration proposed between law enforcement and retailers could lead to concerns around privacy violations or the potential for bias against certain groups. Overall, while widespread support for the resolution exists due to the direct impacts of organized retail crime, the effectiveness of its resolutions is yet to be evaluated.
Urges Congress to provide for joint session at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in honor of semiquincentennial of Declaration of Independence.
Removal of the Highway Plan and Building Restriction Line from Lot 9 in Square 5914 along the West Side of Congress Street, S.E., S.O. 22-01642, Act of 2024
Urging the Congress of the United States to propose and submit to the states for ratification a federal balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States and, in the event that Congress does not submit such an amendment on or before December 31, 2011, applying to Congress to call a convention for the specific and exclusive purpose of proposing an amendment to that constitution to provide, in the absence of a national emergency and on a two-thirds vote of Congress, for a federal balanced budget and requesting that the legislatures of each of the several states that compose the United States apply to Congress to call a convention to propose such an amendment.
A resolution recognizing the expiration of the Equal Rights Amendment proposed by Congress in March 1972, and observing that Congress has no authority to modify a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment after the amendment has been submitted to the States or after the amendment has expired.