HF3155 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Gift card fraud included in organized retail theft.
Related bill: SF3338
AI Generated Summary
Purpose of the Bill
This bill aims to enhance public safety by addressing gift card fraud and organized retail theft in Minnesota. It seeks to update legal definitions and penalties related to these crimes to better capture activities and actors involved.
Main Provisions
Definitions Update: The bill revises definitions related to retail theft, clarifying what constitutes a "closed-loop gift card," "open-loop gift card," "pattern of retail theft," and other related terms. These cards are defined based on their redeemability at either single or multiple merchants.
Organized Retail Theft: Individuals are considered guilty of organized retail theft if they are part of a retail theft enterprise and have engaged in a pattern of theft. New actions are recognized as crimes under this definition, such as reselling stolen goods, advertising stolen items for sale, or attempting to return stolen merchandise for value.
Legal Clarifications: The bill amends specific Minnesota statutes to provide clear legal language and understanding of offenses related to organized retail crime and the misuse of gift cards.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill adds definitions and clarity to terms related to theft involving gift cards, enhancing the legal framework for prosecution.
- It broadens the scope of organized retail theft by including activities like tampering with stolen merchandise.
- It updates criteria for identifying and prosecuting actors within a "retail theft enterprise."
Relevant Terms
gift card fraud, organized retail theft, closed-loop gift card, open-loop gift card, retail theft enterprise, stolen merchandise, pattern of retail theft, Minnesota statutes.
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 06, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Public Safety Finance and Policy |
| April 09, 2025 | House | Floor | Action | Author added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Definitions for 'closed-loop gift card', 'open-loop gift card', and 'gift card'.",
"Definition of 'retail theft enterprise'."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill amends definitions related to organized retail theft under section 609.522, subdivision 1.",
"modified": [
"Revises the definition of 'pattern of retail theft'.",
"Updates the definition of 'value' in cases involving gift cards."
]
},
"citation": "609.522",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References section 609.52, subdivision 2, which deals with theft offenses.",
"modified": [
"Incorporates organized retail theft activities into existing theft statutes."
]
},
"citation": "609.52",
"subdivision": "subdivision 2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Includes reference to 609.521, which relates to acts of theft.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.521",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References section 609.53, subdivision 1, relating to receiving stolen property.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.53",
"subdivision": "subdivision 1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References section 609.582, concerning burglary offenses when the building was a retail establishment.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.582",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References section 609.59, addressing possession of burglary or theft tools.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "609.59",
"subdivision": ""
}
]