All Roll Calls
Yes: 251 • No: 0
South CarolinaH 3523126th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 16-13-135, RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF RETAIL THEFT AND ASSOCIATED PENALTIES, SO AS TO REVISE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS, TO REVISE THE PREVIOUS OFFENSE OF RETAIL THEFT, TO CREATE THE OFFENSES OF ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME AND ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME OF AN AGGRAVATED NATURE, AND TO PROVIDE A GRADUATED PENALTY STRUCTURE.
Sponsored By: Jeffrey E. "Jeff" Johnson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Organized Retail Crime
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Higher penalties for injury or big damage
The law creates an aggravated form of the crime. It applies if, during the theft, you willfully damage property over $2,000. It also applies if you cause moderate or great bodily injury. Conviction is a felony: up to a $50,000 fine or up to 15 years, or both. The basic crime remains a lesser-included offense. These rules take effect March 7, 2025.
New crimes for organized retail theft
The law defines organized retail crime. It means two or more people steal goods to resell or reenter commerce. Retail value, including taxes, is used to price the goods. Gift cards and store credits count as retail property. The crime applies when total value is over $2,000 within any 90 days. It is also a crime to receive, possess, or sell goods you know or should know are stolen. No conviction of the original theft is required. These rules take effect March 7, 2025.
Penalties and asset seizures for organized theft
Penalties depend on the total retail value. First offense, over $2,000 to under $10,000: misdemeanor. Up to a $5,000 fine, up to 3 years in prison, or both. Over $10,000 to under $20,000: up to a $10,000 fine or 5 years, or both. Over $20,000 to under $50,000: up to a $20,000 fine or 10 years, or both. Over $50,000: up to a $50,000 fine or 20 years, or both. A second or later offense is a felony no matter the amount. Penalty: up to a $50,000 fine or 20 years, or both. Property, money, and interests tied to the crime can be seized. Forfeiture follows Section 44-53-530 procedures. These rules take effect March 7, 2025.
Combining thefts across 90 days and counties
Prosecutors can add thefts within 90 days into one criminal count. A case can be brought in any county where the acts happened. A circuit solicitor cannot prosecute outside their circuit without the Attorney General’s consent. These rules take effect March 7, 2025.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jeffrey E. "Jeff" Johnson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
William H. Bailey
Republican • House
Jeff Bradley
Republican • House
Cody T. Mitchell
Republican • House
Paula Rawl Calhoon
Republican • House
April Cromer
Republican • House
Shannon S. Erickson
Republican • House
Thomas Lee Gilreath
Republican • House
William "Bill" Hager
Republican • House
Charles V. Hartz
Republican • House
William M. "Bill" Hixon
Republican • House
Steven Wayne Long
Republican • House
Melissa Lackey Oremus
Republican • House
Fawn M. Pedalino
Republican • House
Robby Robbins
Republican • House
Bill Taylor
Republican • House
Wm. Weston J. Newton
Republican • House
J. David Weeks
Democrat • House
William R. "Bill" Whitmire
Republican • House
Richard L. "Richie" Yow
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 2/27/2025
(Organized Retail Crime)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 107 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/25/2025
(Organized Retail Crime)2nd Reading
Yes: 43 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2025
(Organized Retail Crime)Passage of Bill
Yes: 101 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 1
3/12/2025legislatureEffective date 03/07/25
3/12/2025legislatureSigned By Governor
3/7/2025GovernorRatified R 5
3/6/2025legislatureRoll call Yeas-107 Nays-0
2/27/2025HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
2/27/2025HouseRead third time and returned to House with amendments
2/26/2025SenateRoll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
2/25/2025SenateRead second time
2/25/2025SenateAmended
2/25/2025SenateScrivener's error corrected
2/19/2025legislatureRecalled from Committee on Judiciary
2/19/2025SenateReferred to Committee on Judiciary
2/18/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
2/18/2025SenateUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
2/13/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-101 Nays-0
2/13/2025HouseRead second time
2/13/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Hixon, Cromer, Gilreath, Oremus, Hartz
2/13/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Erickson, Bradley, Hager, Whitmire
2/12/2025HouseDebate adjourned until Thur., 2-13-25
2/12/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Yow, Weeks
2/12/2025HouseCommittee report: Favorable Judiciary
2/6/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Calhoon
2/5/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Bailey
1/29/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Judiciary
1/14/2025House
Bill Text
Introduced
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