Subcommittee backs bill to let prisons cap canteen prices if wardens choose to adopt policy

The Domestic Relations Business and Probate Law Subcommittee gave House Bill 3,929 a favorable report, 5-0. The bill, filed by Representative John King, would establish statutory provisions governing how the Department of Corrections manages canteens and the pricing of items sold in those facilities.

Representative John King, the bill sponsor, told the committee he introduced the measure because he had heard concerns from family members of incarcerated people about what they described as high canteen prices. "I believe that there's price gouging within the system," King said, and described anecdotal complaints that small items such as travel-sized deodorant could cost as much as $10. King said the bill would cap how much can be charged if a facility elects to operate under the statute.

Representative David Martin asked a clarifying question about the bill’s optional nature. Martin noted his reading that the statute would not require facilities to operate canteens under the price-cap regime, but would regulate pricing if a warden or facility chose to implement the approach. Representative King confirmed that was correct: it would be at the discretion of the warden or facility manager whether to adopt the statutory pricing rules.

The committee then ordered a roll call and recorded unanimous support. Roll-call votes recorded “Aye” from Representative Bernstein, Representative Paula Calhoun, Representative Guest, Representative John King and Representative David Martin; the chair announced House Bill 3,929 received a favorable report with five in favor and none against.

The transcript does not specify a statutory maximum price, any enforcement mechanism, or a fiscal impact statement. It records only Representative King’s statement of intent and the committee’s vote. The bill advances from the subcommittee for further consideration; no amendments or committee directions were recorded in the transcript.