ENGR. H.B. NO. 3378 Summary

• Amends 57 O.S. Section 549.1 to authorize the Department of Corrections to establish industries and agricultural programs at state penal institutions for manufacturing products and delivering services needed by state agencies and political subdivisions.

• Modifies purchasing requirements to require state agencies to include the Prison Industries Program as a vendor in all solicitations for products and services it provides, and mandates purchase from the program if its bid is the lowest and best.

• Expands eligibility to purchase Prison Industries products and services to include not-for-profit corporations, federal and other state government units, contractors with the state, and churches, while prohibiting purchases by other private entities except for surplus agricultural products.

• Amends 74 O.S. Section 85.12 (Central Purchasing Act) to add Oklahoma Correctional Industries and Agri-Services programs to the list of exemptions from competitive bidding requirements for acquisitions of raw materials, component parts, equipment under 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, and services used to provide goods or services for resale.

• Effective date set for November 1, 2010.