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Subcommittee approves bill to limit pricing in corrections canteens; wards retain discretion
Summary
House Bill 3,929, filed by Representative John King, would set maximum prices for items sold in Department of Corrections canteens; the committee gave the bill a favorable report 5-0 and members clarified the bill is permissive and would allow local wardens to decide whether to implement it.
House Bill 3,929, sponsored by Representative John King, seeks to establish statutory provisions governing how the Department of Corrections manages canteens and the pricing of items sold in those canteens. The Domestic Relations Business and Probate Law Subcommittee voted 5-0 to give the bill a favorable report.
Representative John King told the committee he believes price gouging occurs in some correctional canteens and said family members of incarcerated people have reported high prices for basic items, such as deodorant. King said the bill would place a cap on how much can be charged for goods sold through canteens.
Representative David Martin questioned whether the bill would be mandatory. King and the committee clarified the text is permissive: a warden or whoever manages the prison would decide whether to adopt the regulated canteen pricing; if a facility chooses to operate a canteen, the bill would control how it is operated and maintained. After that exchange the committee voted by roll call to report the bill favorably.
Votes on HB 3,929 were recorded as: Representative Bernstein — yes; Representative Paula Calhoun — yes; Representative Guest — yes; Representative John King — yes; Representative David Martin — yes.
