Corrections: Prison Industry Authority.

Existing law provides that there is in existence within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation the Prison Industry Authority under the direction of the Prison Industry Board. Under existing law, the authority has jurisdiction over the operation of all industrial, agricultural, and service enterprises employing prisoners in institutions under the jurisdiction of the department and has the power to establish new enterprises which it deems appropriate. Under existing law, products made by enterprises under the authority's jurisdiction shall be purchased by the state or a state agency, and may be purchased by a local agency or by a state agency to be offered for sale to persons residing in state-operated institutions at prices fixed by the authority. This bill would provide that, notwithstanding requirements imposed on state agencies to purchase Prison Industry Authority products, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall not be restricted from entering into contracts with private entities or other public agencies for locally produced perishable goods provided at a lower price than the price available from the Prison Industry Authority, provided that the contract is to provide these goods to a facility that is located in a county with a population of 50,000 or less.