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Subcommittee backs bill to cap prison canteen prices when facilities operate canteens
Summary
House Bill 3,929, filed by Representative John King, received a 5-0 favorable report to establish statutory rules governing Department of Corrections canteens and to limit prices for items sold if a facility chooses to operate a canteen.
The Domestic Relations Business and Probate Law Subcommittee voted 5-0 to give House Bill 3,929 a favorable report. Introduced by Representative John King, the bill would establish statutory provisions governing how the Department of Corrections manages canteens and the pricing of items sold in those canteens.
Representative John King said he drafted the bill after hearing from family members of incarcerated people who complained of high prices in some facility canteens; he gave the example of a small deodorant being sold for about $10. Representative David Martin asked whether the bill would require canteens; King clarified it is permissive — it regulates canteen operations and pricing if a warden or facility operator decides to allow a canteen.
No specific price ceiling appears in the subcommittee discussion on the record; the bill’s text discussed in committee was described as setting limits so items “cannot exceed a certain amount,” but the transcript contains no numeric cap. The subcommittee ordered a roll call and recorded unanimous support. Representatives Bernstein, Paula Calhoun, Guess, John King and David Martin voted “aye.” With a vote of 5 in favor and none against, House Bill 3,929 received a favorable report from the Domestic Relations Business and Probate Law Subcommittee.
