H.B. 1441 - Organized Retail Theft

• Establishes a new offense of organized retail theft in Chapter 708, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which occurs when a person acts in concert with one or more others to steal merchandise from retailers with intent to sell or dispose of it, or to receive stolen merchandise knowing it came from a retailer.

• Class C felony for merchandise valued at $200 or more but less than $750; Class B felony for merchandise valued at $750 or more; penalties increase to the next higher category if the person recruits, coordinates, organizes, supervises, directs, manages, or finances others to commit the offense.

• Creates an organized retail theft task force under the attorney general with up to 15 members including four gubernatorial appointees (one from law enforcement), representatives from Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Retail Merchants of Hawaii, and prosecuting attorneys from each county.

• Task force members serve without compensation and are exempt from Hawaii's open meetings law (Chapter 92); task force must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than 20 days before the 2026 regular session.

• Takes effect upon approval; does not apply retroactively to rights, penalties, or proceedings that occurred before the effective date.