LOOTER Act of 2025

HR 3600, the LOOTER Act of 2025, adds federal penalties for theft committed during declared natural disaster emergencies. It makes it a federal offense to commit petty larceny (small theft) or grand larceny (large theft) in any county where a disaster emergency has been declared under the Stafford Act. Offenders face up to 1 year in prison for petty larceny or up to 5 years for grand larceny, using state definitions of these crimes. The law directly affects individuals who steal from vulnerable communities during active disaster response efforts. It applies only during federally declared emergencies, not regular circumstances.