HB 378-ORG. RETAIL THEFT/FUND;MKTPLACE SALES TAX  3:36:50 PM CHAIR SUMNER announced that the next order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 378, "An Act relating to theft; relating to organized retail theft; establishing a statewide marketplace facilitator sales tax; establishing the organized retail theft fund in the general fund; and providing for an effective date." CHAIR SUMNER opened public testimony on HB 378. 3:37:06 PM MARGARET BERGMAN, Detective, Anchorage Police Department (APD), testified during the hearing on HB 378. She provided history on APD and retail theft. She shared that property crimes are viewed by many as lower priority, but organized retail crime (ORC) is often linked to a system of criminal activity regarding homicide, robberies, and fraud. She explained that communication between law enforcement and retail is critical to facilitate a timeline for prosecution. She said Alaska is currently missing an ORC crime statute and a conspiracy statute that covers property crimes. ORC is considered a gateway crime that leads to fund other crimes. She added that repeat suspects appear to be undeterred by misdemeanor charges. 3:41:29 PM CHAIR SUMNER closed public testimony on HB 378. 3:41:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report HB 378 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 378 was reported from the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.