(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.