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Assembly passes bill restoring county discretion on inmate wages, removing century-old 25¢ cap
Summary
The California Assembly passed AB 248 to allow counties to set wages for jailed individuals instead of a state-mandated 25-cent-per-hour cap; supporters said it restores local control and helps fund victims' compensation, while opponents warned of added costs for rural counties and urged focus on rehabilitation programs.
The California Assembly on March 6 passed Assembly Bill 248, a measure that removes a long-standing state limit on wages paid to people working in county jails and restores local discretion over pay rates.
Assemblymember Brian, the bill’s author, said the measure targets “an archaic, piece of state law” that currently prevents counties from paying incarcerated people more than 25 cents per hour. “Local counties should have the authority and the jurisdiction to decide for themselves what the dignity of work is for people in their jails,” Brian said on the Assembly floor, arguing the change is appropriate because many people in county jails are pretrial and that local governments should decide wage levels.
Supporters framed the bill as a no-cost restoration of local control and a way to increase funds available for victim compensation. Assemblymember Krell, who spoke in favor, said the bill “does allow counties to use their discretion looking carefully at their budgets and their rehabilitative goals” and emphasized that some of the wages help fund victims’ compensation funds.
Opponents warned the change would impose costs on cash-strapped rural counties and could reduce resources for rehabilitation programs. Assemblymember Hedwig, speaking in opposition, said her rural districts “cannot foot this bill” and that sheriffs are under “huge financial pressure,” arguing the bill would divert funds from treatment and facility repairs. Assemblymember DeMaio also opposed the measure, saying inmates contributing to jail upkeep can help offset taxpayer costs and invoking voters’ recent rejection of a related proposition.
Assemblymember Hoover and other supporters countered that the existing code already contemplates a higher statutory rate in some places and that providing paid work opportunities can support reentry. In closing, Brian said the bill is nonfiscal and “all it does is restore local control measures.”
The Assembly voted 48 in favor and 12 opposed; the measure passed on the floor vote recorded March 6, 2025.
Clarifying details from the floor debate: the existing statutory cap referenced on the floor was characterized as 25 cents per hour; the author said the bill is nonfiscal and restores local discretion; opponents said rural counties would face higher costs and urged investment instead in job training and rehabilitation programs. The floor debate included references to the Norwegian model of corrections and restorative pay, but no changes to the state’s budget were adopted as part of this bill on the Assembly floor.
AB 248 will move on to the next step in the legislative process following its passage in the Assembly.
Votes at a glance: Ayes 48, Noes 12.
