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AB-800 • 2026

State prisons: food.

State prisons: food.

Children Crime
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Ortega
Last action
2026-02-02
Official status
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Prison Food Rules

This law sets rules for how prisons buy and sell food, making sure prices are fair and that the food is healthy.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires prison vending machines to have food priced like in nearby towns.
  • Tells prisons to consider studies on junk food causing obesity when buying food.
  • Encourages prisons to offer affordable, fresh, and nutritious foods in vending machines.
  • Suggests getting food from local farmers and producers.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who work at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Prisoners in state prisons

Terms To Know

Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The government agency that runs prisons and takes care of inmates.
Vending machines
Machines where people can buy snacks, drinks, or other items by putting in money.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not say how the law will be enforced.
  • Does not explain what happens if local food is not available.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.

  2. 2026-01-31 California Legislative Information

    Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.

  3. 2025-05-23 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Held under submission.

  4. 2025-04-09 California Legislative Information

    In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

  5. 2025-03-26 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

  6. 2025-03-03 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  7. 2025-02-19 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.

  8. 2025-02-18 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 800, as introduced, Ortega.
State prisons: food.
Existing law establishes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and sets forth its powers and duties regarding the administration of correctional facilities and the care and custody of inmates.
This bill would require the department to require all food items sold in prison vending machines to be priced at the same average market retail price as in the community in which the prison is located. The bill would also require the department to take into consideration research that exists on junk foods and snacks as a cause of obesity in children and families when providing food in the state prison, and to encourage the provision of affordable, fresh, and nutritious food items in prison vending machines and the sourcing of food items from local farmers and producers.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF