Public contracts: Prison Industry Authority.

Existing law establishes the Prison Industry Authority within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Existing law provides that the authority is authorized and empowered to operate industrial, agricultural, and service enterprises in order to provide products and services needed by the state. Existing law requires that state agencies purchase Prison Industry Authority products, make maximum utilization of these products, and consult with the staff of the authority to develop new products and adapt existing products to meet their needs. This bill would provide that these requirements shall not restrict state agencies from entering into contracts or purchase orders of $25,000 or less with California certified small businesses, microbusinesses, or disabled veteran business enterprises for products provided at a lower price than the price available from the Prison Industry Authority.