Senator Weaver Advances Legislation to Combat Organized Retail Crime and Protect Oklahoma Businesses

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senator Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, advanced House Bill 1592 to create a new crime of organized retail crime (ORC), which is defined by multiple elements that indicate the presence of criminal organizations. This business-driven legislation responds to the increasing threat posed by organized theft rings to Oklahoma’s retailers and economy.

Weaver, who chairs the Senate Public Safety Committee, noted that the measure expands the definition of “pattern of criminal offenses” within state law to include circumstances where individuals commit the same crime across multiple municipalities.

“This legislation will give prosecutors the tools they need to effectively address professional criminal activity,” Weaver said. “These organized crimes not only threaten public safety, but they also cause major financial losses for businesses and harm our communities. House Bill 1592 will strengthen efforts to dismantle the criminal networks targeting Oklahoma businesses and provide additional protections for our local retailers.”

House Bill 1592 also extends the work of the Organized Retail Crime Task Force through June 1, 2026, and provides that staffing for the task force be provided by the Office of the Attorney General.

The Oklahoma Organized Retail Crime Task Force, established in 2023, was created to research and gather data from various entities serving on the task force to make informed recommendations to the Legislature and the governor to prevent and combat organized retail crime in Oklahoma.

“The Organized Retail Crime Task Force has been an essential partner to law enforcement and local businesses as we continue to evaluate and implement additional precautions that can further protect our communities from the impact of these thefts. I look forward to continued collaboration among the Attorney General’s Office, the task force, Oklahoma law enforcement agencies, and the Legislature as we work together to combat the growing threat of ORC across our state,” Weaver added.

HB 1592 is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate.

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For more information, contact:

Sen. Darrell Weaver at 405-521-5569 or email Darrell.Weaver@oksenate.gov.