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Subcommittee backs bill to set price limits for items sold in prison canteens
Summary
House Bill 3,929 received a unanimous favorable report from the subcommittee. The bill would allow the Department of Corrections to operate canteens under statutory pricing limits if a facility elects to offer such sales; the bill does not mandate canteens but would cap prices when they are offered.
The Domestic Relations Business and Probate Law Subcommittee voted 5-0 to give House Bill 3,929 a favorable report. Representative John King, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure seeks to prevent what he described as “price gouging” in correctional facility canteens by capping the prices of items sold to incarcerated people.
Representative King said he had received reports from family members of incarcerated people that common personal items could be priced at levels the family found excessive; he described the bill as a statutory limit on how much a canteen operator can charge. The bill language discussed at the hearing, as read by committee staff, would regulate pricing for canteens operated by the Department of Corrections when a warden or facility operator elects to offer a canteen; it does not require facilities to operate canteens.
During committee questions, Representative David Martin asked for confirmation that the bill is permissive — i.e., it regulates canteens only if a facility chooses to operate one. Representative King confirmed that it would be up to the warden or facility manager whether to offer the canteen and that the bill would then govern how that service is priced and maintained.
Votes at the meeting: The roll-call on House Bill 3,929 recorded yes votes from Representatives Bernstein, Paula Calhoun, Guess, John King and David Martin; the tally was 5 in favor, 0 opposed. The subcommittee ordered a favorable report on the bill.
What the committee did not decide at the hearing: The bill as discussed did not specify a particular price cap amount in the transcripted discussion, nor did the committee adopt implementing rules or identify an enforcement mechanism at the hearing. No fiscal analysis or procurement details were discussed on the record.
