HB 488 amends Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the OCGA to require merchants that buy or resell stored value cards to record information in the same manner as a pawnshop. Failure to do so may be punishable with a misdemeanor and a plea of nolo contendere for shoplifting counts as a conviction when counting subsequent shoplifting convictions. A judge may depart from mandatory minimum sentences for more than three offenses if the prosecuting attorney and the defendant have agreed to a sentence that is below the mandatory sentence.

Finally, the bill creates a new offense for organized retail theft. Persons convicted of this violation shall be guilty of a felony and punished by imprisonment for 3 to 20 years and/or a maximum fine of $50,000.00.