NY A04731

Establishes the Office of Organized Retail Theft within the Department of Law to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft operations, including how they steal property, train thieves, resell stolen goods online and in-person, and launder proceeds

Grants the office subpoena power to compel witnesses, examine them under oath, and require production of books, records, and documents relevant to investigations

Authorizes the office to request cooperation from state agencies including Homeland Security, State Police, and local law enforcement, and to provide technical assistance to district attorneys investigating retail theft cases

Requires the Attorney General to designate a Deputy Attorney General for Organized Retail Theft to lead the office, with authority to appoint deputies and assistants in the exempt civil service class

Mandates annual public reports summarizing the office's activities and recommending changes to state law to improve investigations and prosecutions, beginning one year after the act takes effect (effective date is two years after passage)