SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5781
As of January 25, 2022
Title: An act relating to organized retail theft.
Brief Description: Concerning organized retail theft.
Sponsors: Senators Padden and Wilson, L..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 1/27/22.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Adds an additional way to commit organized retail theft in the 2nd degree.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE
Staff: Tim Ford (786-7423)
Background:

A person can be charged with organized retail theft if the person:

  • commits theft of property with a value of at least $750 from a mercantile establishment with an accomplice;
  • possesses stolen property with a value of at least $750 from a mercantile establishment with an accomplice;
  • commits theft of property with a cumulative value of at least $750 from one or more mercantile establishments within a period of 180 days; or
  • commits theft of property with a cumulative value of at least $750 from a mercantile establishment with no less than six accomplices and makes or sends at least one electronic communication seeking participation in the theft in the course of planning or commission of the theft. 

 

Organized retail theft in the second degree is a class C felony ranked with a seriousness level of two.  Applied on the sentencing grid, the sentencing range is 0 to90 days for a person with an offender score of zero.
Summary of Bill:

A person is guilty of organized retail theft in the 2nd degree if the person commits theft of property with a cumulative value of at least $750 from a mercantile establishment with no less than two accomplices and each accomplice enters the mercantile establishment within five minutes of each other seeking participation in the theft.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 24, 2022.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.