SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6473

BYSenators Thorsness, Wojahn, McCaslin, Gaspard, Rasmussen and Lee; by request of Department of Corrections

Changing conditions applying to the sale of products of correctional industries.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 17, 1990; January 19, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6473 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Nelson, Chairman; Hayner, Newhouse, Niemi, Patrick, Talmadge, Thorsness.

Senate Staff:Ben Barnes (786-7465)

                  January 22, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE, JANUARY 19, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Under current law, the products of state-run class II industries may only be sold to public agencies and nonprofit organizations.

It is suggested that the existing statute be amended to allow the sale of class II industry products to private contractors when the end user is a public agency or nonprofit organization.

SUMMARY:

The products and services of class II correctional industries may be sold to private contractors when the goods purchased will ultimately be used by a public agency or a nonprofit corporation.  The products and services must be reviewed by the Correctional Industries' Board of Directors before offering such products and services for sale to private contractors.  The board of directors is also required to conduct a yearly marketing review of the products and services.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Department of Corrections is authorized to donate clothing manufactured by a class II industry to any nonprofit organization that provides clothing free of charge to low-income persons.

In conducting its yearly marketing review of the products and services offered by correctional industries, the Correctional Industries Board of Directors is required to analyze the potential impact of the proposed products and services on the Washington state business community.

The Department of Corrections is required to study the expansion of prison industries products to the private sector and report to the Senate Law & Justice Committee by January 1, 1991.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    yes

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Effective Date:July 1, 1990

Senate Committee - Testified: John Cusic, Department of Corrections