Fire prevention: purchases of personal protective equipment: Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Existing law establishes the Prison Industry Authority and authorizes it to operate industrial, agricultural, and service enterprises which will provide products and services needed by the state, or any political subdivision of the state, or by the federal government, or any department, agency, or corporation of the federal government, or for any other public use. Existing law requires state agencies to purchase these products and services at the prices fixed by the authority. Existing law also requires state agencies to 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. Under existing law, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is required to carry out specified duties with respect to the prevention and control of forest fires. This bill would provide that, notwithstanding requirements imposed on state agencies to purchase Prison Industry Authority products, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection may purchase personal protective equipment from the authority or private entities, based on the department's needs and assessment of quality and value.