AB-746
Labor & Employment

Inmate Cooperative Program.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a new prison program allowing inmates to form and operate worker cooperatives within state facilities.
  • Requires cooperatives to contribute 40% of inmate wages to a reentry fund supporting post-release opportunities.
  • Mandates that prison cooperatives focus on environmentally sustainable industries and products.
  • Provides inmates with training in financial literacy and business management while earning minimum wage.

Summary

Assembly Member McKinnor's proposal to establish worker cooperatives within California state prisons introduces a new pathway for incarcerated individuals to develop business skills and build financial resources. The Inmate Cooperative Program would enable groups of inmates to form and operate worker-owned businesses inside prison facilities, with support from external nonprofit partners and oversight from prison administrators.

Under the program, inmates could apply to create cooperatives by submitting detailed operational plans to facility wardens. These plans must include draft bylaws, business strategies focused on sustainable industries, and safety protocols. Approved cooperatives would incorporate formally and operate under contracts with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which would provide access to necessary equipment and workspace while maintaining security requirements.

The initiative includes specific financial structures to support both individual savings and broader community impact. Cooperatives would deduct 40% of inmate wages for deposit into a Green Cooperative Reentry Reserve, managed by a designated financial institution to fund grants and loans for environmentally sustainable projects benefiting system-impacted individuals. Additional wage deductions would go toward taxes, restitution, and individual trust and savings accounts. The California Employee Ownership Hub would select a cooperative institution to provide technical assistance and oversee program implementation.

To maintain program integrity, the legislation prohibits Department of Corrections employees from holding positions or financial interests in the cooperatives. While cooperatives must meet labor and safety standards, they would be exempt from certain restrictions on selling inmate-produced goods and services. The program requires annual reporting on the use of reserve funds and measurable outcomes of funded initiatives.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Tina McKinnor
Tina McKinnorD
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/18/2025)

Latest Voting History

April 29, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
8019PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Establishes a new prison program allowing inmates to form and operate worker cooperatives within state facilities.
  • Requires cooperatives to contribute 40% of inmate wages to a reentry fund supporting post-release opportunities.
  • Mandates that prison cooperatives focus on environmentally sustainable industries and products.
  • Provides inmates with training in financial literacy and business management while earning minimum wage.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Tina McKinnor
Tina McKinnorD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

Assembly Member McKinnor's proposal to establish worker cooperatives within California state prisons introduces a new pathway for incarcerated individuals to develop business skills and build financial resources. The Inmate Cooperative Program would enable groups of inmates to form and operate worker-owned businesses inside prison facilities, with support from external nonprofit partners and oversight from prison administrators.

Under the program, inmates could apply to create cooperatives by submitting detailed operational plans to facility wardens. These plans must include draft bylaws, business strategies focused on sustainable industries, and safety protocols. Approved cooperatives would incorporate formally and operate under contracts with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which would provide access to necessary equipment and workspace while maintaining security requirements.

The initiative includes specific financial structures to support both individual savings and broader community impact. Cooperatives would deduct 40% of inmate wages for deposit into a Green Cooperative Reentry Reserve, managed by a designated financial institution to fund grants and loans for environmentally sustainable projects benefiting system-impacted individuals. Additional wage deductions would go toward taxes, restitution, and individual trust and savings accounts. The California Employee Ownership Hub would select a cooperative institution to provide technical assistance and oversee program implementation.

To maintain program integrity, the legislation prohibits Department of Corrections employees from holding positions or financial interests in the cooperatives. While cooperatives must meet labor and safety standards, they would be exempt from certain restrictions on selling inmate-produced goods and services. The program requires annual reporting on the use of reserve funds and measurable outcomes of funded initiatives.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/18/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
Assembly Labor And Employment Hearing
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

April 29, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Public Safety Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
8019PASS

Contacts

Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 16 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 4
Select All Legislators
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Committee Member