Assembly BillFailedPenal
AB 800: State prisons: food.
What AB 800 does, verified February 3, 2026
The bill aims to improve the food options in state prisons. It requires the department of corrections to ensure that food items sold in prison vending machines are priced at the same average market retail price as in the community where the prison is located. Additionally, the department must consider research on junk foods and snacks as a cause of obesity and encourage the provision of affordable, fresh, and nutritious food items in prison vending machines. The department should also source food items from local farmers and producers to promote healthier options.
Bill journey
✓IntroducedComplete
2In CommitteeCurrent
3First Chamber FloorPending
4Second ChamberPending
5GovernorPending
6ChapteredPending
Last action: From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. (2026-02-02)Alert me
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Full contact details, staff, and committees with Connect, $16/moUnlockRecent actions8 total · showing 5
| Feb. 02, 2026 | From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. |
| Jan. 31, 2026 | Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution. |
| May. 23, 2025 | In committee: Held under submission. |
| Apr. 09, 2025 | In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file. |
| Mar. 26, 2025 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 6. Noes 1.) (March 25). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. |
Latest bill textIntroduced version, February 18, 2025 · 295 words
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 800
| Introduced by Assembly Member Ortega |
February 18, 2025 |
An act to add Section 5018 to the Penal Code, relating to incarceration.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
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.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 5018 is added to the Penal Code, to read:5018.
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall do all of the following:(a) 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.
(b) Take into consideration the research that exists on junk foods and snacks as a cause of obesity in children and families when providing food in the state prison.
(c) 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.
Text of AB 800 as introduced, from the official record. Connect Plus keeps every version and highlights what changed.Compare versions