BILL NUMBER: AB 1883	CHAPTERED  08/04/08

	CHAPTER  259
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 4, 2008
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 4, 2008
	PASSED THE SENATE  JULY 3, 2008
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  JULY 14, 2008
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 17, 2008
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 10, 2008
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 1, 2008

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Keene

                        FEBRUARY 7, 2008

   An act to amend Section 4953 of the Public Resources Code,
relating to fire.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1883, Keene. Fire: inmate crews: nonprofit organizations.
   The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection is required to use
inmates and wards assigned to conservation camps for fire prevention,
fire control, and other work of the department. The department is
authorized to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with
public agencies for the performance of other conservation projects
appropriate for that public agency, under the policies established by
the Prison Industry Authority.
   This bill would enact the Wildfire Prevention Assistance Act of
2008 and would expand the department's authority to include entering
into contracts and cooperative agreements with qualified nonprofit
organizations that have a demonstrated ability to plan, implement,
and complete a conservation project and meet other criteria, as
determined by the department.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  This act shall be known and may be cited as the
Wildfire Prevention Assistance Act of 2008.
  SEC. 2.  Section 4953 of the Public Resources Code is amended to
read:
   4953.  (a) The department shall utilize inmates and wards assigned
to conservation camps in performing fire prevention, fire control,
and other work of the department. At times it deems proper and on
terms it deems wise, the department may enter into contracts or
cooperative agreements with a public agency, local, state, or
federal, or with a qualified nonprofit organization that has a
demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and complete a conservation
project and meets other criteria, as determined by the department,
for the performance of other conservation projects that are
appropriate for those public agencies or that nonprofit organization
under policies that shall be established by the Prison Industry
Authority. The charge for the service shall be determined by the
director. All these contracts are subject to the approval of the
director and the Director of General Services.
   (b) For the purposes of this section, "nonprofit organization"
means any California corporation exempt from taxation under Section
501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(5) of the federal Internal Revenue
Code.