House Bill 0303c1

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

        By the Committee on Finance & Taxation and Representative
    Andrews





  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to investment of public funds;

  3         amending s. 112.625, F.S.; revising and

  4         providing definitions under the Florida

  5         Protection of Public Employee Retirement

  6         Benefits Act; creating s. 112.661, F.S.;

  7         requiring that investment of the assets of any

  8         local retirement system or plan be consistent

  9         with a written investment policy; specifying

10         requirements for such policies with respect to

11         scope, investment objectives, performance

12         measurement, investment standards, maturity and

13         liquidity requirements, portfolio composition,

14         risk and diversification, rate of return,

15         third-party custodial agreements, master

16         repurchase agreements, bid requirements,

17         internal controls, continuing education

18         requirements, reporting and filing

19         requirements, and valuation of illiquid

20         investments; requiring that such policies list

21         authorized investments and prohibiting

22         investments not so listed; amending s. 218.415,

23         F.S.; revising requirements relating to local

24         governments' investment policies; revising the

25         funds to which written investment policies

26         apply and revising requirements relating to

27         bids, internal controls, and reporting;

28         specifying authorized investments for those

29         local governments that adopt a written

30         investment policy; prohibiting investments not

31         listed in such policy; requiring continuing

                                  1

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         education for officials responsible for

  2         investment decisions or the chief financial

  3         officer; revising the list of authorized

  4         investments for those local governments that do

  5         not adopt a written investment policy;

  6         providing requirements with respect to the

  7         disposition and sale of securities, and funds

  8         subject to preexisting contracts; providing for

  9         preemption of conflicting laws; providing that

10         audits of local governments shall report on

11         compliance with said section; providing powers

12         and duties of the Joint Legislative Auditing

13         Committee, the Department of Revenue, the

14         Department of Banking and Finance, and the

15         Department of Community Affairs to enforce

16         compliance; amending s. 11.45, F.S.; revising

17         provisions which authorize withholding of funds

18         from local governmental entities, district

19         school boards, or charter schools that fail to

20         submit certain required audit reports and

21         authorizing the Department of Revenue and

22         Department of Banking and Finance to implement

23         said provisions; amending s. 218.32, F.S.;

24         revising provisions which authorize withholding

25         of funds from local governments that fail to

26         file annual financial reports and authorizing

27         the Department of Revenue and Department of

28         Banking and Finance to implement said

29         provisions; amending s. 218.38, F.S.;

30         authorizing the Department of Revenue and

31         Department of Banking and Finance to implement

                                  2

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         provisions which authorize withholding of funds

  2         from local governments that fail to provide

  3         certain information regarding bonded

  4         obligations; amending ss. 28.33 and 219.075,

  5         F.S.; providing for application of s. 218.415,

  6         F.S., to investment of county funds by clerks

  7         of the circuit courts and investment of surplus

  8         funds by county officers; amending s. 159.416,

  9         F.S.; providing for application of s. 218.415,

10         F.S., to investments made in connection with a

11         pool financing program under the Florida

12         Industrial Development Financing Act; amending

13         s. 236.24, F.S.; deleting provisions which

14         specify requirements with respect to investment

15         of surplus funds by school boards; amending s.

16         236.49, F.S.; providing for application of s.

17         218.415(16), F.S., to investment of surplus

18         funds derived from school district bond issues;

19         amending s. 237.211, F.S.; correcting a

20         reference; repealing ss. 125.31, 166.261, and

21         218.345, F.S., which specify requirements with

22         respect to investment of surplus funds by

23         counties, municipalities, and special

24         districts, s. 230.23(10)(k), F.S., which

25         provides requirements with respect to adoption

26         of investment policies by school boards, and s.

27         237.161(5), F.S., which authorizes school

28         boards to invest surplus assets as obligations

29         for a period of 1 year; providing an effective

30         date.

31

                                  3

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

  2

  3         Section 1.  Subsections (7) and (8) of section 112.625,

  4  Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsection (9) is added to

  5  said section, to read:

  6         112.625  Definitions.--As used in this act:

  7         (7)  "Statement value" means the value of assets in

  8  accordance with s. 302(c)(2) of the Employee Retirement Income

  9  Security Act of 1974 and as permitted under regulations

10  prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Assets for which

11  a fair market value is not provided shall be excluded from the

12  assets used in the determination of annual funding cost.

13         (8)  "Named fiduciary," "board," or "board of trustees"

14  means the person or persons so designated by the terms of the

15  instrument or instruments, ordinance, or statute under which

16  the plan is operated.

17         (9)  "Plan sponsor" means the local governmental entity

18  that has established or that may establish a local retirement

19  system or plan.

20         Section 2.  Section 112.661, Florida Statutes, is

21  created to read:

22         112.661  Investment policies.--Investment of the assets

23  of any local retirement system or plan must be consistent with

24  a written investment policy adopted by the board. Such

25  policies shall be structured to maximize the financial return

26  to the retirement system or plan consistent with the risks

27  incumbent in each investment and shall be structured to

28  establish and maintain an appropriate diversification of the

29  retirement system or plan's assets.

30         (1)  SCOPE.--The investment policy shall apply to funds

31  under the control of the board.

                                  4

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         (2)  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES.--The investment policy

  2  shall describe the investment objectives of the board.

  3         (3)  PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT.--The investment policy

  4  shall specify performance measures as are appropriate for the

  5  nature and size of the assets within the board's custody.

  6         (4)  INVESTMENT AND FIDUCIARY STANDARDS.--The

  7  investment policy shall describe the level of prudence and

  8  ethical standards to be followed by the board in carrying out

  9  its investment activities with respect to funds described in

10  this section. The board in performing its investment duties

11  shall comply with the fiduciary standards set forth in the

12  Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 at 29 U.S.C.

13  s. 1104(a)(1)(A)-(C). In case of conflict with other

14  provisions of law authorizing investments, the investment and

15  fiduciary standards set forth in this section shall prevail.

16         (5)  AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS.--

17         (a)  The investment policy shall list investments

18  authorized by the board. Investments not listed in the

19  investment policy are prohibited. Unless otherwise authorized

20  by law or ordinance, the investment of the assets of any local

21  retirement system or plan covered by this part shall be

22  subject to the limitations and conditions set forth in s.

23  215.47(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (10), and (16).

24         (b)  If a local retirement system or plan has

25  investments that, on October 1, 2000, either exceed the

26  applicable limit or do not satisfy the applicable investment

27  standard, such excess or investment not in compliance with the

28  policy may be continued until such time as it is economically

29  feasible to dispose of such investment. However, no additional

30  investment may be made in the investment category which

31

                                  5

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  exceeds the applicable limit, unless authorized by law or

  2  ordinance.

  3         (6)  MATURITY AND LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS.--The

  4  investment policy shall require that the investment portfolio

  5  be structured in such manner as to provide sufficient

  6  liquidity to pay obligations as they come due. To that end,

  7  the investment policy should direct that, to the extent

  8  possible, an attempt will be made to match investment

  9  maturities with known cash needs and anticipated cash-flow

10  requirements.

11         (7)  PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION.--The investment policy

12  shall establish guidelines for investments and limits on

13  security issues, issuers, and maturities. Such guidelines

14  shall be commensurate with the nature and size of the funds

15  within the custody of the board.

16         (8)  RISK AND DIVERSIFICATION.--The investment policy

17  shall provide for appropriate diversification of the

18  investment portfolio. Investments held should be diversified

19  to the extent practicable to control the risk of loss

20  resulting from overconcentration of assets in a specific

21  maturity, issuer, instrument, dealer, or bank through which

22  financial instruments are bought and sold. Diversification

23  strategies within the established guidelines shall be reviewed

24  and revised periodically, as deemed necessary by the board.

25         (9)  EXPECTED ANNUAL RATE OF RETURN.--The investment

26  policy shall require that, for each actuarial valuation, the

27  board determine the total expected annual rate of return for

28  the current year, for each of the next several years, and for

29  the long term thereafter. This determination must be filed

30  promptly with the Department of Management Services and with

31  the plan's sponsor and consulting actuary. The department

                                  6

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  shall use this determination only to notify the board, the

  2  plan's sponsor, and consulting actuary of material differences

  3  between the total expected annual rate of return and the

  4  actuarial assumed rate of return.

  5         (10)  THIRD-PARTY CUSTODIAL AGREEMENTS.--The investment

  6  policy shall provide appropriate arrangements for the holding

  7  of assets of the board. Securities should be held with a third

  8  party, and all securities purchased by, and all collateral

  9  obtained by, the board should be properly designated as an

10  asset of the board. No withdrawal of securities, in whole or

11  in part, shall be made from safekeeping except by an

12  authorized member of the board or the board's designee.

13  Securities transactions between a broker-dealer and the

14  custodian involving purchase or sale of securities by transfer

15  of money or securities must be made on a "delivery vs.

16  payment" basis, if applicable, to ensure that the custodian

17  will have the security or money, as appropriate, in hand at

18  the conclusion of the transaction.

19         (11)  MASTER REPURCHASE AGREEMENT.--The investment

20  policy shall require all approved institutions and dealers

21  transacting repurchase agreements to execute and perform as

22  stated in the Master Repurchase Agreement. All repurchase

23  agreement transactions shall adhere to the requirements of the

24  Master Repurchase Agreement.

25         (12)  BID REQUIREMENT.--The investment policy shall

26  provide that the board determine the approximate maturity date

27  based on cash-flow needs and market conditions, analyze and

28  select one or more optimal types of investment, and

29  competitively bid the security in question when feasible and

30  appropriate. Except as otherwise required by law, the most

31  economically advantageous bid must be selected.

                                  7

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         (13)  INTERNAL CONTROLS.--The investment policy shall

  2  provide for a system of internal controls and operational

  3  procedures. The board shall establish a system of internal

  4  controls which shall be in writing and made a part of the

  5  board's operational procedures. The policy shall provide for

  6  review of such controls by independent certified public

  7  accountants as part of any financial audit periodically

  8  required of the board's unit of local government. The internal

  9  controls should be designed to prevent losses of funds which

10  might arise from fraud, error, misrepresentation by third

11  parties, or imprudent actions by the board or employees of the

12  unit of local government.

13         (14)  CONTINUING EDUCATION.--The investment policy

14  shall provide for the continuing education of the board

15  members in matters relating to investments and the board's

16  responsibilities.

17         (15)  REPORTING.--The investment policy shall provide

18  for appropriate annual or more frequent reporting of

19  investment activities. To that end, the board shall prepare

20  periodic reports for submission to the governing body of the

21  unit of local government which shall include investments in

22  the portfolio by class or type, book value, income earned, and

23  market value as of the report date. Such reports shall be

24  available to the public.

25         (16)  FILING OF INVESTMENT POLICY.--Upon adoption by

26  the board, the investment policy shall be promptly filed with

27  the Department of Management Services and the plan's sponsor

28  and consulting actuary. The effective date of the investment

29  policy, and any amendment thereto, shall be the 31st calendar

30  day following the filing date with the plan sponsor.

31

                                  8

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         (17)  VALUATION OF ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS.--The

  2  investment policy shall provide for the valuation of illiquid

  3  investments for which a generally recognized market is not

  4  available or for which there is no consistent or generally

  5  accepted pricing mechanism. If those investments are utilized,

  6  the investment policy must include the criteria set forth in

  7  s. 215.47(6), except that submission to the Investment

  8  Advisory Council is not required. The investment policy shall

  9  require that, for each actuarial valuation, the board must

10  verify the determination of the fair market value for those

11  investments and ascertain that the determination complies with

12  all applicable state and federal requirements. The investment

13  policy shall require that the board disclose to the Department

14  of Management Services and the plan's sponsor each such

15  investment for which the fair market value is not provided.

16         Section 3.  Section 218.415, Florida Statutes, is

17  amended to read:

18         218.415  Local government investment

19  policies.--Investment activity by a unit of local government

20  must be consistent with a written investment plan adopted by

21  the governing body, or in the absence of the existence of a

22  governing body, the respective principal officer of the unit

23  of local government and maintained by the unit of local

24  government or, in the alternative, such activity must be

25  conducted in accordance with the investment guidelines set

26  forth in subsection (17) (15).  Any such unit of local

27  government shall have an investment policy for any public

28  funds in excess of the amounts needed to meet current expenses

29  as provided in subsections (1)-(16) (1)-(14), or shall meet

30  the alternative investment guidelines contained in subsection

31  (17) (15). Such policies shall be structured to place the

                                  9

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  highest priority on the safety of principal and liquidity of

  2  funds. The optimization of investment returns shall be

  3  secondary to the requirements for safety and liquidity.  Each

  4  unit of local government shall adopt policies that are

  5  commensurate with the nature and size of the public funds

  6  within its their custody.

  7         (1)  SCOPE.--The investment policy shall apply to funds

  8  under the control of the unit of local government in excess of

  9  those required to meet current expenses. The investment policy

10  shall not apply to pension funds, including those funds in

11  chapters 175 and 185,; trust funds; or funds related to the

12  issuance of debt where there are other existing policies or

13  indentures in effect for such funds.

14         (2)  INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES.--The investment policy

15  shall describe the investment objectives of the unit of local

16  government. Investment objectives shall include safety of

17  capital, liquidity of funds, and investment income, in that

18  order.

19         (3)  PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT.--The investment policy

20  unit of local government shall specify develop performance

21  measures as are appropriate for the nature and size of the

22  public funds within the its custody of the unit of local

23  government.

24         (4)  PRUDENCE AND ETHICAL STANDARDS.--The investment

25  policy shall describe the level of prudence and ethical

26  standards to be followed by the unit of local government in

27  carrying out its investment activities with respect to funds

28  described in this section.  The unit of local government shall

29  adopt the Prudent Person Rule, which states that: "Investments

30  should be made with judgment and care, under circumstances

31  then prevailing, which persons of prudence, discretion, and

                                  10

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  intelligence exercise in the management of their own affairs,

  2  not for speculation, but for investment, considering the

  3  probable safety of their capital as well as the probable

  4  income to be derived from the investment."

  5         (5)  LISTING OF AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS.--The investment

  6  policy shall list investments authorized by the governing body

  7  of the unit of local government, subject to the provisions of

  8  subsection (16) investments. Investments not listed in the

  9  investment policy are prohibited. If the policy authorizes

10  investments in derivative products, the policy must require

11  that must be specifically authorized in the investment plan

12  and may be considered only if the unit of local government's

13  officials responsible for making investment decisions or chief

14  financial officer have has developed sufficient understanding

15  of the derivative products and have has the expertise to

16  manage them.  For purposes of this subsection, a "derivative"

17  is defined as a financial instrument the value of which

18  depends on, or is derived from, the value of one or more

19  underlying assets or index or asset values. If the policy

20  authorizes investments in The use of reverse repurchase

21  agreements or other forms of leverage, the policy must limit

22  the investments shall be prohibited or limited by investment

23  policy to transactions in which where the proceeds are

24  intended to provide liquidity and for which the unit of local

25  government has sufficient resources and expertise.

26         (6)  MATURITY AND LIQUIDITY REQUIREMENTS.--The

27  investment policy shall require that the investment portfolio

28  is structured in such manner as to provide sufficient

29  liquidity to pay obligations as they come due. To that end,

30  the investment policy should direct that, to the extent

31  possible, an attempt will be made to match investment

                                  11

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  maturities with known cash needs and anticipated cash-flow

  2  requirements.

  3         (7)  PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION.--The investment policy

  4  shall establish guidelines for investments and limits on

  5  security issues, issuers, and maturities.  Such guidelines

  6  shall be commensurate with the nature and size of the public

  7  funds within the custody of the unit of local government.

  8         (8)  RISK AND DIVERSIFICATION.--The investment policy

  9  shall provide for appropriate diversification of the

10  investment portfolio. Investments held should be diversified

11  to the extent practicable to control the risk of loss

12  resulting from overconcentration of assets in a specific

13  maturity, issuer, instrument, dealer, or bank through which

14  financial instruments are bought and sold.  Diversification

15  strategies within the established guidelines shall be reviewed

16  and revised periodically, as deemed necessary by the

17  appropriate management staff.

18         (9)  AUTHORIZED INVESTMENT INSTITUTIONS AND

19  DEALERS.--The investment policy should specify the authorized

20  securities dealers, issuers, and banks from whom the unit of

21  local government may purchase securities.

22         (10)  THIRD-PARTY CUSTODIAL AGREEMENTS.--The investment

23  policy shall provide appropriate arrangements for the holding

24  of assets of the unit of local government.  Securities should

25  be held with a third party; and all securities purchased by,

26  and all collateral obtained by, the unit of local government

27  should be properly designated as an asset of the unit of local

28  government. No withdrawal of securities, in whole or in part,

29  shall be made from safekeeping, except by an authorized staff

30  member of the unit of local government.  Securities

31  transactions between a broker-dealer and the custodian

                                  12

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  involving purchase or sale of securities by transfer of money

  2  or securities must be made on a "delivery vs. payment" basis,

  3  if applicable, to ensure that the custodian will have the

  4  security or money, as appropriate, in hand at the conclusion

  5  of the transaction.

  6         (11)  MASTER REPURCHASE AGREEMENT.--The investment

  7  policy unit of local government shall require all approved

  8  institutions and dealers transacting repurchase agreements to

  9  execute and perform as stated in the Master Repurchase

10  Agreement. All repurchase agreement transactions shall adhere

11  to the requirements of the Master Repurchase Agreement.

12         (12)  BID REQUIREMENT.--The investment policy shall

13  require that the unit of local government's staff determine

14  the approximate maturity date based on cash-flow needs and

15  market conditions, analyze and select one or more optimal

16  types of investment, and competitively bid the security in

17  question when feasible and appropriate. Except as otherwise

18  required by law, the bid deemed to best meet the investment

19  objectives specified in subsection (2) must be selected. After

20  the unit of local government staff has determined the

21  approximate maturity date based on cash-flow needs and market

22  conditions and has analyzed and selected one or more optimal

23  types of investment, the security in question shall, when

24  feasible and appropriate, be competitively bid.

25         (13)  INTERNAL CONTROLS.--The investment policy shall

26  provide for a system of internal controls and operational

27  procedures.  The unit of local government's officials

28  responsible for making investment decisions or chief financial

29  officer shall, by January 1, 1996, establish a system of

30  internal controls which shall be in writing and made a part of

31  the governmental entity's operational procedures.  The

                                  13

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  investment policy shall provide for review of such controls by

  2  independent auditors as part of any financial audit

  3  periodically required of the unit of local government.  The

  4  internal controls should be designed to prevent losses of

  5  funds which might arise from fraud, employee error,

  6  misrepresentation by third parties, or imprudent actions by

  7  employees of the unit of local government.

  8         (14)  CONTINUING EDUCATION.--The investment policy

  9  shall provide for the continuing education of the unit of

10  local government's officials responsible for making investment

11  decisions or the chief financial officer. Such officials or

12  chief financial officer must annually complete 8 hours of

13  continuing education in subjects or courses of study related

14  to investment practices and products.

15         (15)(14)  REPORTING.--The investment policy shall

16  provide for appropriate annual or more frequent reporting of

17  investment activities.  To that end, the governmental entity's

18  officials responsible for making investment decisions or chief

19  financial officer shall prepare periodic reports for

20  submission to the legislative and governing body of the unit

21  of local government, which shall include securities in the

22  portfolio by class or type, book value, income earned, and

23  market value as of the report date. Such reports shall be

24  available to the public.

25         (16)  AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS; WRITTEN INVESTMENT

26  POLICIES.--Those units of local government electing to adopt a

27  written investment policy as provided in subsections (1)-(15)

28  may by resolution invest and reinvest any surplus public funds

29  in their control or possession in:

30         (a)  The Local Government Surplus Funds Trust Fund or

31  any intergovernmental investment pool authorized pursuant to

                                  14

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  the Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act as provided in s.

  2  163.01.

  3         (b)  Securities and Exchange Commission registered

  4  money market funds with the highest credit quality rating from

  5  a nationally recognized rating agency.

  6         (c)  Interest-bearing time deposits or savings accounts

  7  in qualified public depositories as defined in s. 280.02.

  8         (d)  Direct obligations of the United States Treasury.

  9         (e)  Federal agencies and instrumentalities.

10         (f)  Securities of, or other interests in, any open-end

11  or closed-end management-type investment company or investment

12  trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15

13  U.S.C. ss. 80a-1 et seq., as amended from time to time,

14  provided that the portfolio of such investment company or

15  investment trust is limited to obligations of the United

16  States Government or any agency or instrumentality thereof and

17  to repurchase agreements fully collateralized by such United

18  States Government obligations, and provided that such

19  investment company or investment trust takes delivery of such

20  collateral either directly or through an authorized custodian.

21         (g)  Other investments authorized by law or by

22  ordinance.

23         (17)(15)  AUTHORIZED INVESTMENTS; NO WRITTEN INVESTMENT

24  POLICY ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT GUIDELINES.--Those units of

25  local government electing not to adopt a written investment

26  policy in accordance with investment policies developed as

27  provided in subsections (1)-(15) may invest or reinvest any

28  surplus public funds in their control or possession in: In

29  addition to or in lieu of establishing a written investment

30  plan in accordance with investment policies developed pursuant

31  to subsections (1)-(14), a unit of local government electing

                                  15

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  to conduct investment activity outside the framework provided

  2  by this part shall do so under the guidelines set forth in

  3  this section.  The unit of local government may invest in the

  4  following instruments and may divest itself of such

  5  investments, at prevailing market prices or rates, subject to

  6  the limitations of this section:

  7         (a)  The Local Government Surplus Funds Trust Fund, or

  8  any intergovernmental investment pool authorized pursuant to

  9  the Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act, as provided in s.

10  163.01.

11         (b)  Securities and Exchange Commission registered

12  money market funds with the highest credit quality rating from

13  a nationally recognized rating agency.

14         (c)  Interest-bearing time deposits or savings accounts

15  in state-certified qualified public depositories, as defined

16  in s. 280.02.

17         (d)  Certificates of deposit in state-certified

18  qualified public depositories, as defined in s. 280.02.

19         (d)(e)  Direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury.

20         (f)  Federal agencies and instrumentalities.

21

22  The securities listed in paragraphs (c) and, (d), (e), and (f)

23  shall be invested to provide sufficient liquidity to pay

24  obligations as they come due match investment maturities with

25  current expenses.

26         (18)  SECURITIES; DISPOSITION.--

27         (a)  Every security purchased under this section on

28  behalf of the governing body of a unit of local government

29  must be properly earmarked and:

30

31

                                  16

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         1.  If registered with the issuer or its agents, must

  2  be immediately placed for safekeeping in a location that

  3  protects the governing body's interest in the security;

  4         2.  If in book entry form, must be held for the credit

  5  of the governing body by a depository chartered by the Federal

  6  Government, the state, or any other state or territory of the

  7  United States which has a branch or principal place of

  8  business in this state as defined in s. 658.12, or by a

  9  national association organized and existing under the laws of

10  the United States which is authorized to accept and execute

11  trusts and which is doing business in this state, and must be

12  kept by the depository in an account separate and apart from

13  the assets of the financial institution; or

14         3.  If physically issued to the holder but not

15  registered with the issuer or its agents, must be immediately

16  placed for safekeeping in a secured vault in a financial

17  institution in this state which maintains adequate secured

18  vault insurance.

19         (b)  The unit of local government's governing body may

20  also receive bank trust receipts in return for investment of

21  surplus funds in securities. Any trust receipts received must

22  enumerate the various securities held, together with the

23  specific number of each security held. The actual securities

24  on which the trust receipts are issued may be held by any bank

25  depository chartered by the Federal Government, this state, or

26  any other state or territory of the United States, which has a

27  branch or principal place of business in this state as defined

28  in s. 658.12, or by a national association organized and

29  existing under the laws of the United States which is

30  authorized to accept and execute trusts and which is doing

31  business in this state.

                                  17

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         (19)  SALE OF SECURITIES.--When the invested funds are

  2  needed in whole or in part for the purposes originally

  3  intended, the unit of local government's governing body may

  4  sell such investments at the then-prevailing market price and

  5  place the proceeds into the proper account or fund of the unit

  6  of local government.

  7         (20)  PREEXISTING CONTRACT.--Any public funds subject

  8  to a contract or agreement existing on October 1, 2000, may

  9  not be invested contrary to such contract or agreement.

10         (21)  PREEMPTION.--Any provision of any special act,

11  municipal charter, or other law which prohibits or restricts a

12  local governmental entity from complying with this section or

13  any rules adopted under this section is void to the extent of

14  the conflict.

15         (22)  AUDITS.--Certified public accountants conducting

16  audits of units of local government pursuant to s. 11.45 shall

17  report, as part of the audit, whether or not the unit of local

18  government has complied with this section.

19         (23)  AUDITOR GENERAL; REVIEW.--During the Auditor

20  General's review of audit reports of units of local

21  government, the Auditor General shall notify the Joint

22  Legislative Auditing Committee of any unit of local government

23  not in compliance with this section. Following notification of

24  failure by a local government to comply with this section, a

25  hearing may be scheduled by the committee. If a hearing is

26  scheduled, the committee shall determine which units of local

27  government will be subjected to further state action. If the

28  committee finds that one or more units of local government

29  should be subjected to further state action, the committee

30  shall:

31

                                  18

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         (a)  In the case of a county, municipality, or district

  2  school board, request the Department of Revenue and the

  3  Department of Banking and Finance to withhold any funds not

  4  pledged for bond debt service satisfaction which are payable

  5  to such governmental entity. The Department of Revenue and the

  6  Department of Banking and Finance are authorized to implement

  7  the provisions of this paragraph. The committee, in its

  8  request, shall specify the date such action shall begin, and

  9  the request must be received by the Department of Revenue and

10  the Department of Banking and Finance 30 days prior to the

11  date of the distribution mandated by law.

12         (b)  In the case of a special district, notify the

13  Department of Community Affairs that the special district has

14  failed to comply with this section. Upon receipt of

15  notification, the Department of Community Affairs shall

16  proceed pursuant to the provisions specified in ss. 189.421

17  and 189.422.

18         Section 4.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section

19  11.45, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

20         11.45  Definitions; duties; audits; reports.--

21         (3)(a)1.  The Auditor General shall annually make

22  financial audits of the accounts and records of all state

23  agencies, as defined in this section, of all district school

24  boards in counties with populations of fewer than 125,000,

25  according to the most recent federal decennial statewide

26  census, and of all district boards of trustees of community

27  colleges. The Auditor General shall, at least every other

28  year, make operational audits of the accounts and records of

29  all state agencies, as defined in this section. The Auditor

30  General shall, at least once every 3 years, make financial

31  audits of the accounts and records of all district school

                                  19

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  boards in counties with populations of 125,000 or more. For

  2  each of the 2 years that the Auditor General does not make the

  3  financial audit, each district school board shall contract for

  4  an independent certified public accountant to perform a

  5  financial audit as defined in paragraph (1)(b). This section

  6  does not limit the Auditor General's discretionary authority

  7  to conduct performance audits of these governmental entities

  8  as authorized in subparagraph 3. A district school board may

  9  select an independent certified public accountant to perform a

10  financial audit as defined in paragraph (1)(b) notwithstanding

11  the notification provisions of this section. In addition, a

12  district school board may employ an internal auditor to

13  perform ongoing financial verification of the financial

14  records of a school district, who must report directly to the

15  district school board or its designee. The Auditor General

16  shall, at a minimum, provide to the successor independent

17  certified public accountant of a district school board the

18  prior year's working papers, including documentation of

19  planning, internal control, audit results, and other matters

20  of continuing accounting and auditing significance, such as

21  the working paper analysis of balance sheet accounts and those

22  relating to contingencies.

23         2.  Each charter school established under s. 228.056

24  shall have an annual financial audit of its accounts and

25  records completed within 12 months after the end of its fiscal

26  year by an independent certified public accountant retained by

27  it and paid from its funds. The independent certified public

28  accountant who is selected to perform an annual financial

29  audit of the charter school shall provide a copy of the audit

30  report to the district school board, the Department of

31  Education, and the Auditor General. A management letter must

                                  20

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  be prepared and included as a part of each financial audit

  2  report. The Auditor General may, pursuant to his or her own

  3  authority or at the direction of the Joint Legislative

  4  Auditing Committee, conduct an audit of a charter school.

  5         3.  The Auditor General may at any time make financial

  6  audits and performance audits of the accounts and records of

  7  all governmental entities created pursuant to law.  The audits

  8  referred to in this subparagraph must be made whenever

  9  determined by the Auditor General, whenever directed by the

10  Legislative Auditing Committee, or whenever otherwise required

11  by law or concurrent resolution.  A district school board,

12  expressway authority, or bridge authority may require that the

13  annual financial audit of its accounts and records be

14  completed within 12 months after the end of its fiscal year.

15  If the Auditor General is unable to meet that requirement, the

16  Auditor General shall notify the school board, the expressway

17  authority, or the bridge authority pursuant to subparagraph 5.

18         4.  The Office of Program Policy Analysis and

19  Government Accountability within the Office of the Auditor

20  General shall maintain a schedule of performance audits of

21  state programs. In conducting a performance audit of a state

22  program, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government

23  Accountability, when appropriate, shall identify and comment

24  upon alternatives for accomplishing the goals of the program

25  being audited. Such alternatives may include funding

26  techniques and, if appropriate, must describe how other states

27  or governmental units accomplish similar goals.

28         5.  If by July 1 in any fiscal year a district school

29  board or local governmental entity has not been notified that

30  a financial audit for that fiscal year will be performed by

31  the Auditor General pursuant to subparagraph 3., each

                                  21

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  municipality with either revenues or expenditures of more than

  2  $100,000, each special district with either revenues or

  3  expenditures of more than $50,000, and each county agency

  4  shall, and each district school board may, require that an

  5  annual financial audit of its accounts and records be

  6  completed, within 12 months after the end of its respective

  7  fiscal year, by an independent certified public accountant

  8  retained by it and paid from its public funds.  An independent

  9  certified public accountant who is selected to perform an

10  annual financial audit of a school district must report

11  directly to the district school board or its designee. A

12  management letter must be prepared and included as a part of

13  each financial audit report. Each local government finance

14  commission, board, or council, and each municipal power

15  corporation, created as a separate legal or administrative

16  entity by interlocal agreement under s. 163.01(7), shall

17  provide the Auditor General, within 12 months after the end of

18  its fiscal year, with an annual financial audit report of its

19  accounts and records and a written statement or explanation or

20  rebuttal concerning the auditor's comments, including

21  corrective action to be taken. The county audit shall be one

22  document that includes a separate audit of each county agency.

23  The county audit must include an audit of the deposits into

24  and expenditures from the Public Records Modernization Trust

25  Fund. The Auditor General shall tabulate the results of the

26  audits of the Public Records Modernization Trust Fund and

27  report a summary of the audits to the Legislature annually.

28         6.  The governing body of a municipality, special

29  district, or charter school must establish an auditor

30  selection committee and competitive auditor selection

31  procedures. The governing board may elect to use its own

                                  22

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  competitive auditor selection procedures or the procedures

  2  outlined in subparagraph 7.

  3         7.  The governing body of a noncharter county or

  4  district school board that retains a certified public

  5  accountant must establish an auditor selection committee and

  6  select an independent certified public accountant according to

  7  the following procedure:

  8         a.  For each noncharter county, the auditor selection

  9  committee must consist of the county officers elected pursuant

10  to s. 1(d), Art. VIII of the State Constitution, and one

11  member of the board of county commissioners or its designee.

12         b.  The committee shall publicly announce, in a uniform

13  and consistent manner, each occasion when auditing services

14  are required to be purchased. Public notice must include a

15  general description of the audit and must indicate how

16  interested certified public accountants can apply for

17  consideration.

18         c.  The committee shall encourage firms engaged in the

19  lawful practice of public accounting who desire to provide

20  professional services to submit annually a statement of

21  qualifications and performance data.

22         d.  Any certified public accountant desiring to provide

23  auditing services must first be qualified pursuant to law. The

24  committee shall make a finding that the firm or individual to

25  be employed is fully qualified to render the required

26  services. Among the factors to be considered in making this

27  finding are the capabilities, adequacy of personnel, past

28  record, and experience of the firm or individual.

29         e.  The committee shall adopt procedures for the

30  evaluation of professional services, including, but not

31  limited to, capabilities, adequacy of personnel, past record,

                                  23

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  experience, results of recent external quality control

  2  reviews, and such other factors as may be determined by the

  3  committee to be applicable to its particular requirements.

  4         f.  The public must not be excluded from the

  5  proceedings under this subparagraph.

  6         g.  The committee shall evaluate current statements of

  7  qualifications and performance data on file with the

  8  committee, together with those that may be submitted by other

  9  firms regarding the proposed audit, and shall conduct

10  discussions with, and may require public presentations by, no

11  fewer than three firms regarding their qualifications,

12  approach to the audit, and ability to furnish the required

13  services.

14         h.  The committee shall select no fewer than three

15  firms deemed to be the most highly qualified to perform the

16  required services after considering such factors as the

17  ability of professional personnel; past performance;

18  willingness to meet time requirements; location; recent,

19  current, and projected workloads of the firms; and the volume

20  of work previously awarded to the firm by the agency, with the

21  object of effecting an equitable distribution of contracts

22  among qualified firms, provided such distribution does not

23  violate the principle of selection of the most highly

24  qualified firms.  If fewer than three firms desire to perform

25  the services, the committee shall recommend such firms as it

26  determines to be qualified.

27         i.  If the governing board receives more than one

28  proposal for the same engagement, the board may rank, in order

29  of preference, the firms to perform the engagement.  The firm

30  ranked first may then negotiate a contract with the board

31  giving, among other things, a basis of its fee for that

                                  24

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  engagement.  If the board is unable to negotiate a

  2  satisfactory contract with that firm, negotiations with that

  3  firm shall be formally terminated, and the board shall then

  4  undertake negotiations with the second-ranked firm. Failing

  5  accord with the second-ranked firm, negotiations shall then be

  6  terminated with that firm and undertaken with the third-ranked

  7  firm. Negotiations with the other ranked firms shall be

  8  undertaken in the same manner.  The board, in negotiating with

  9  firms, may reopen formal negotiations with any one of the

10  three top-ranked firms, but it may not negotiate with more

11  than one firm at a time. The board shall also negotiate on the

12  scope and quality of services. In making such determination,

13  the board shall conduct a detailed analysis of the cost of the

14  professional services required in addition to considering

15  their scope and complexity. For contracts over $50,000, the

16  board shall require the firm receiving the award to execute a

17  truth-in-negotiation certificate stating that the rates of

18  compensation and other factual unit costs supporting the

19  compensation are accurate, complete, and current at the time

20  of contracting. Such certificate shall also contain a

21  description and disclosure of any understanding that places a

22  limit on current or future years' audit contract fees,

23  including any arrangements under which fixed limits on fees

24  will not be subject to reconsideration if unexpected

25  accounting or auditing issues are encountered. Such

26  certificate shall also contain a description of any services

27  rendered by the certified public accountant or firm of

28  certified public accountants at rates or terms that are not

29  customary.  Any auditing service contract under which such a

30  certificate is required must contain a provision that the

31  original contract price and any additions thereto shall be

                                  25

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  adjusted to exclude any significant sums by which the board

  2  determines the contract price was increased due to inaccurate

  3  or incomplete factual unit costs.  All such contract

  4  adjustments shall be made within 1 year following the end of

  5  the contract.

  6         j.  If the board is unable to negotiate a satisfactory

  7  contract with any of the selected firms, the committee shall

  8  select additional firms, and the board shall continue

  9  negotiations in accordance with this subsection until an

10  agreement is reached.

11         8.  At the conclusion of the audit field work, the

12  independent certified public accountant shall discuss with the

13  head of each local governmental entity or the chair's designee

14  or with the chair of the district school board or the chair's

15  designee, or with the chair of the board of the charter school

16  or the chair's designee, as appropriate, all of the auditor's

17  comments that will be included in the audit report.  If the

18  officer is not available to discuss the auditor's comments,

19  their discussion is presumed when the comments are delivered

20  in writing to his or her office. The auditor shall notify each

21  member of the governing body of a local governmental entity

22  for which deteriorating financial conditions exist which may

23  cause a condition described in s. 218.503(1) to occur if

24  actions are not taken to address such conditions.

25         9.  The officer's written statement of explanation or

26  rebuttal concerning the auditor's comments, including

27  corrective action to be taken, must be filed with the

28  governing body of the local governmental entity, district

29  school board, or charter school within 30 days after the

30  delivery of the financial audit report.

31

                                  26

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         10.  The Auditor General, in consultation with the

  2  Board of Accountancy, shall adopt rules for the form and

  3  conduct of all financial audits subject to this section and

  4  conducted by independent certified public accountants. The

  5  Auditor General, in consultation with the Department of

  6  Education, shall develop a compliance supplement for the

  7  financial audit of a district school board conducted by an

  8  independent certified public accountant. The rules for audits

  9  of local governmental entities and district school boards must

10  include, but are not limited to, requirements for the

11  reporting of information necessary to carry out the purposes

12  of the Local Government Financial Emergencies Act as stated in

13  s. 218.501.

14         11.  Any local governmental entity or district school

15  board financial audit report required under subparagraph 5. or

16  charter school financial audit report required under

17  subparagraph 2. and the officer's written statement of

18  explanation or rebuttal concerning the auditor's comments,

19  including corrective action to be taken, must be submitted to

20  the Auditor General within 45 days after delivery of the audit

21  report to the local governmental entity, district school

22  board, or charter school, but no later than 12 months after

23  the end of the fiscal year. If the Auditor General does not

24  receive the financial audit report within the prescribed

25  period, he or she must notify the Legislative Auditing

26  Committee that the governmental entity or charter school has

27  not complied with this subparagraph. Following notification of

28  failure to submit the required audit report or items required

29  by rule adopted by the Auditor General, a hearing must be

30  scheduled by rule of the committee. After the hearing, the

31  committee shall determine which governmental entities or

                                  27

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  charter schools will be subjected to further state action.  If

  2  it finds that one or more governmental entities or charter

  3  schools should be subjected to further state action, the

  4  committee shall:

  5         a.  In the case of a local governmental entity,

  6  district school board, or charter school, request the

  7  Department of Revenue and the Department of Banking and

  8  Finance to withhold any funds not pledged for bond debt

  9  service satisfaction which are payable to such governmental

10  entity or charter school until the required financial audit is

11  received by the Auditor General. The Department of Revenue and

12  the Department of Banking and Finance are authorized to

13  implement the provisions of this sub-subparagraph. The

14  committee, in its request, shall specify the date such action

15  shall begin, and the request must be received by the

16  Department of Revenue and the Department of Banking and

17  Finance 30 days prior to the date of the distribution mandated

18  by law.

19         b.  In the case of a special district, notify the

20  Department of Community Affairs that the special district has

21  failed to provide the required audits.  Upon receipt of

22  notification, the Department of Community Affairs shall

23  proceed pursuant to ss. 189.421 and 189.422.

24         12.a.  The Auditor General, in consultation with the

25  Board of Accountancy, shall review all audit reports submitted

26  pursuant to subparagraph 11. The Auditor General shall request

27  any significant items that were omitted in violation of a rule

28  adopted by the Auditor General. The items must be provided

29  within 45 days after the date of the request. If the Auditor

30  General does not receive the requested items, he or she shall

31  notify the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.

                                  28

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         b.  The Auditor General shall notify the Governor and

  2  the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee of any audit report

  3  reviewed by the Auditor General which contains a statement

  4  that the local governmental entity or district school board is

  5  in a state of financial emergency as provided in s. 218.503.

  6  If the Auditor General, in reviewing any audit report,

  7  identifies additional information which indicates that the

  8  local governmental entity or district school board may be in a

  9  state of financial emergency as provided in s. 218.503, the

10  Auditor General shall request appropriate clarification from

11  the local governmental entity or district school board.  The

12  requested clarification must be provided within 45 days after

13  the date of the request. If the Auditor General does not

14  receive the requested clarification, he or she shall notify

15  the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.  If, after obtaining

16  the requested clarification, the Auditor General determines

17  that the local governmental entity or district school board is

18  in a state of financial emergency as provided in s. 218.503,

19  he or she shall notify the Governor and the Joint Legislative

20  Auditing Committee.

21         c.  The Auditor General shall annually compile and

22  transmit to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the

23  House of Representatives, and the Joint Legislative Auditing

24  Committee a summary of significant findings and financial

25  trends identified in audits of local governmental entities,

26  district school boards, and charter schools performed by the

27  independent certified public accountants.

28         13.  In conducting a performance audit of any agency,

29  the Auditor General shall use the Agency Strategic Plan of the

30  agency in evaluating the performance of the agency.

31

                                  29

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         Section 5.  Paragraph (e) of subsection (1) of section

  2  218.32, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  3         218.32  Annual financial reports; local governmental

  4  entities.--

  5         (1)

  6         (e)  If the department does not receive a completed

  7  annual financial report from a local governmental entity

  8  within the required period, it shall notify the Legislative

  9  Auditing Committee of the failure to report. Following receipt

10  of notification of failure to report, the committee shall

11  schedule a hearing for the purpose of receiving additional

12  testimony addressing the failure of local governmental

13  entities to comply with the reporting requirements of this

14  section.  After the hearing, the committee shall determine

15  which local governmental entities will be subjected to further

16  state action.  If it finds that one or more local governmental

17  entities should be subjected to further state action, the

18  committee shall:

19         1.  In the case of a county or municipality, request

20  the Department of Revenue and the Department of Banking and

21  Finance to withhold any funds not pledged for bond debt

22  service satisfaction which are payable to the county or

23  municipality until the required annual financial report is

24  received by the department. The Department of Revenue and the

25  Department of Banking and Finance are authorized to implement

26  the provisions of this subparagraph. The committee, in its

27  request, shall specify the date such action shall begin, and

28  the request must be received by the Department of Revenue and

29  the Department of Banking and Finance 30 days prior to the

30  date of the distribution mandated by law.

31

                                  30

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         2.  In the case of a special district, notify the

  2  Department of Community Affairs that the special district has

  3  failed to provide the required annual financial report. Upon

  4  notification, the Department of Community Affairs shall

  5  proceed pursuant to ss. 189.421 and 189.422.

  6         3.  In the case of a special district that is a

  7  component unit and that did not provide the financial

  8  information required by paragraph (b) to the applicable

  9  reporting entity, notify the Department of Community Affairs

10  that the special district has failed to provide the required

11  financial information. Upon notification, the Department of

12  Community Affairs shall proceed pursuant to ss. 189.421 and

13  189.422.

14         Section 6.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section

15  218.38, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

16         218.38  Notice of bond issues required; verification.--

17         (3)  If a unit of local government fails to verify

18  pursuant to subsection (2) the information held by the

19  division, or fails to provide the information required by

20  subsection (1), the division shall notify the Legislative

21  Auditing Committee of such failure to comply. Following

22  receipt of such notification of failure to comply with these

23  provisions, a hearing shall be scheduled by the committee for

24  the purpose of receiving testimony addressing the failure of

25  units of local government to comply with the requirements of

26  this section.  After the hearing, the committee shall

27  determine which units of local government will be subjected to

28  further state action.  If it finds that one or more units of

29  local government should be subjected to further state action,

30  the committee shall:

31

                                  31

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         (a)  In the case of a unit of local government, request

  2  the Department of Revenue and the Department of Banking and

  3  Finance to withhold any funds not pledged for bond debt

  4  service satisfaction which are payable to such governmental

  5  entity. The Department of Revenue and the Department of

  6  Banking and Finance are authorized to implement the provisions

  7  of this paragraph. The committee, in its request, shall

  8  specify the date such action shall begin, and the request must

  9  be received by the Department of Revenue and the Department of

10  Banking and Finance 30 days prior to the date of the

11  distribution mandated by law.

12         Section 7.  Section 28.33, Florida Statutes, is amended

13  to read:

14         28.33  Investment of county funds by the clerk of the

15  circuit court.--The clerk of the circuit court in each county

16  shall invest county funds in excess of those required to meet

17  expenses as provided in s. 218.415. make an estimate of his or

18  her projected financial needs for the county and shall invest

19  any funds in designated depository banks in interest-bearing

20  certificates or in any direct obligations of the United States

21  in compliance with federal laws relating to receipt of and

22  withdrawal of deposits.  All investments shall be open for bid

23  to all qualified depositories in the county. The clerk shall

24  select the highest and best bid for deposit.  All bids

25  received by the clerk shall include, but not be limited to,

26  the interest rate to be earned and the total amount of dollar

27  return to be paid to the clerk. In the event of a like bid

28  between two or more banks, the moneys shall be divided and

29  deposited in each bank, so long as the total interest income

30  from the divided deposits will not be less than the total

31  interest income had the deposits not been divided. If at the

                                  32

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  time of bid the dollar return on direct obligations of the

  2  Federal Government is greater than the highest bank return,

  3  then the clerk shall invest in the higher return security.

  4  Moneys deposited in the registry of the court shall be

  5  deposited in interest-bearing certificates at the discretion

  6  of the clerk, subject to the above guidelines. No clerk

  7  investing such funds shall be liable for the loss of any

  8  interest when circumstances require the withdrawal of funds

  9  placed in a time deposit and needed for immediate payment of

10  county obligations.  In any county where local banks refuse to

11  bid on securing such money on interest-bearing certificates,

12  the clerk may request and receive bids from banks in other

13  counties within the state and make such deposits to the

14  successful bidder. Except for interest earned on moneys

15  deposited in the registry of the court, all interest accruing

16  from moneys deposited shall be deemed income of the office of

17  the clerk of the circuit court investing such moneys and shall

18  be deposited in the same account as are other fees and

19  commissions of the clerk's office.  The clerk may invest

20  moneys deposited in the registry of the court and shall retain

21  as income of the office of the clerk and as a reasonable

22  investment management fee 10 percent of the interest accruing

23  on those funds with the balance of such interest being

24  allocated in accordance with the interest of the depositors.

25  Each clerk shall, as soon as practicable after the end of the

26  fiscal year, report to the county governing authority the

27  total interest earned on all investments during the preceding

28  year.

29         Section 8.  Subsection (9) of section 159.416, Florida

30  Statutes, is amended to read:

31         159.416  Pool financings.--

                                  33

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         (9)  Proceeds of bonds and moneys held for the payment

  2  of debt service on bonds, including, but not limited to,

  3  amounts held in the loan fund, any reserve fund, or debt

  4  service fund for the bonds, may be invested in investments

  5  authorized by or pursuant to an ordinance or resolution

  6  providing for the issuance of the bonds or any trust agreement

  7  or trust indenture or other instrument approved by such

  8  ordinance or resolution, including, but not limited to,

  9  investments described in s. 218.415 ss. 28.33, 125.31,

10  166.261, 218.345, 219.075, and 236.24 and chapter 280.  The

11  acquisition of any debt obligation or investment contract or

12  investment agreement of any bank, savings and loan

13  association, insurance company, registered broker-dealer, or

14  other financial institution shall be deemed to be an

15  investment and not a loan and therefore need not meet the

16  criteria of subsections (5), (6), and (7).

17         Section 9.  Section 219.075, Florida Statutes, is

18  amended to read:

19         219.075  Investment of surplus funds by county

20  officers.--

21         (1)(a)  Except when another procedure is prescribed by

22  law or by ordinance as to particular funds, a tax collector or

23  any other county officer having, receiving, or collecting any

24  money, either for his or her office or on behalf of and

25  subject to subsequent distribution to another officer of state

26  or local government, while such money is in excess of that

27  required to meet current expenses surplus to current needs of

28  his or her office or is pending distribution, shall invest

29  such money, without limitation, as provided in s. 218.415. in:

30         1.  The Local Government Surplus Funds Trust Fund, as

31  created by s. 218.405;

                                  34

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         2.  Bonds, notes, or other obligations of the United

  2  States guaranteed by the United States or for which the credit

  3  of the United States is pledged for the payment of the

  4  principal and interest or dividends;

  5         3.  Interest-bearing time deposits or savings accounts

  6  in banks organized under the laws of this state, in national

  7  banks organized under the laws of the United States and doing

  8  business and situated in this state, in savings and loan

  9  associations which are under state supervision, or in federal

10  savings and loan associations located in this state and

11  organized under federal law and federal supervision, provided

12  that any such deposits are secured by collateral as may be

13  prescribed by law; or

14         4.  Securities of, or other interests in, any open-end

15  or closed-end management type investment company or investment

16  trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15

17  U.S.C. ss. 80a-1 et seq., as amended from time to time,

18  provided the portfolio of such investment company or

19  investment trust is limited to obligations of the United

20  States Government or any agency or instrumentality thereof and

21  to repurchase agreements fully collateralized by such United

22  States Government obligations and provided such investment

23  company or investment trust takes delivery of such collateral

24  either directly or through an authorized custodian.

25         (b)  These investments shall be planned so as not to

26  slow the normal distribution of the subject funds.  The

27  investment earnings shall be reasonably apportioned and

28  allocated and shall be credited to the account of, and paid

29  to, the office or distributee, together with the principal on

30  which such earnings accrued.

31

                                  35

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         (2)  Except when another procedure is prescribed by

  2  law, ordinance, or court order as to particular funds, the tax

  3  collector shall, as soon as feasible after collection, deposit

  4  in a bank designated as a depository of public funds, as

  5  provided in s. 658.60, all taxes, fees, and other collections

  6  received by him or her and held prior to distribution to the

  7  appropriate taxing authority. Immediately after such funds

  8  have cleared and have been properly credited to the tax

  9  collector's his or her account, the tax collector shall invest

10  such funds according to the provisions of s. 218.415 this

11  section.  The earnings from such investments shall be

12  apportioned at least quarterly on a pro rata basis to the

13  appropriate taxing authorities.  However, the tax collector

14  may deduct therefrom such reasonable amounts as are necessary

15  to provide for costs of administration of such investments and

16  deposits.

17         (3)  The State Board of Administration may establish a

18  schedule and guidelines to be followed by tax collectors

19  making deposits and investments under the provisions of

20  subsection (2).

21         (4)  The provisions of this section are subject to the

22  provisions of s. 218.415.

23         Section 10.  Section 236.24, Florida Statutes, is

24  amended to read:

25         236.24  Sources of district school fund.--

26         (1)  The district school fund shall consist of funds

27  derived from the district school tax levy; state

28  appropriations; appropriations by county commissioners; local,

29  state, and federal school food service funds; any and all

30  other sources for school purposes; national forest trust funds

31  and other federal sources; and gifts and other sources.

                                  36

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         (2)(a)  Unless otherwise authorized by law or by

  2  ordinance, each school board shall, by resolution to be

  3  adopted from time to time, invest and reinvest any surplus

  4  public funds in its control or possession in:

  5         1.  The Local Government Surplus Funds Trust Fund;

  6         2.  Negotiable direct obligations of, or obligations

  7  the principal and interest of which are unconditionally

  8  guaranteed by, the United States Government at the then

  9  prevailing market price for such securities;

10         3.  Interest-bearing time deposits or savings accounts

11  in qualified public depositories as defined in s. 280.02;

12         4.  Obligations of the federal farm credit banks; the

13  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, including Federal Home

14  Loan Mortgage Corporation participation certificates; or the

15  Federal Home Loan Bank or its district banks or obligations

16  guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association;

17         5.  Obligations of the Federal National Mortgage

18  Association, including Federal National Mortgage Association

19  participation certificates and mortgage pass-through

20  certificates guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage

21  Association; or

22         6.  Securities of, or other interests in, any open-end

23  or closed-end management type investment company or investment

24  trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, 15

25  U.S.C. ss. 80a-1 et seq., as amended from time to time,

26  provided the portfolio of such investment company or

27  investment trust is limited to obligations of the United

28  States Government or any agency or instrumentality thereof and

29  to repurchase agreements fully collateralized by such United

30  States Government obligations, and provided such investment

31

                                  37

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  company or investment trust takes delivery of such collateral

  2  either directly or through an authorized custodian.

  3         (b)1.  Securities purchased by any such school board

  4  under the authority of this law shall be delivered by the

  5  seller to the school board or its appointed safekeeper.  The

  6  safekeeper shall be a qualified bank or trust company

  7  chartered to operate as such by the State of Florida, any

  8  other state or territory of the United States, or the United

  9  States Government, that has a branch or principal place of

10  business in this state as defined in s. 658.12. The safekeeper

11  shall issue documentation for each transaction, and a monthly

12  statement detailing all transactions for the period.

13         2.  Securities physically delivered to the school board

14  shall be placed in a safe-deposit box in a bank or other

15  institution located within the county and duly licensed and

16  insured.  Withdrawals from such safe-deposit box shall be only

17  by persons duly authorized by resolution of the school board.

18         3.  The school board may also receive bank trust

19  receipts in return for investment of surplus funds in

20  securities.  Any trust receipts received must enumerate the

21  various securities held together with the specific number of

22  each security held.  The actual securities on which the trust

23  receipts are issued may be held by any bank depository

24  chartered by the United States Government, the State of

25  Florida, or any other state or territory of the United States,

26  that has a branch or principal place of business in this state

27  as defined in s. 658.12, or their designated agents.

28         (c)  When the money invested in such securities is

29  needed in whole or in part for the purposes originally

30  intended, the school board is authorized to sell such security

31  or securities at the then prevailing market price and to pay

                                  38

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  the proceeds of such sale into the proper account or fund of

  2  the school board.

  3         (d)  For the purposes of this law, the term "surplus

  4  funds" is defined as funds in any general or special account

  5  or fund of the school board, held or controlled by the school

  6  board, which funds are not reasonably contemplated to be

  7  needed for the purposes intended within a reasonable time from

  8  the date of such investment.

  9         (e)  Any surplus public funds subject to a contract or

10  agreement on the date of this enactment shall not be invested

11  contrary to such contract or agreement.

12         (f)  The provisions of this subsection are supplemental

13  to any and all other laws relating to the legal investments by

14  school boards.

15         (3)  Investments made pursuant to this section may be

16  in book-entry form and may be under repurchase agreements.

17         (4)  The provisions of this section are subject to the

18  provisions of s. 218.415.

19         Section 11.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section

20  236.49, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

21         236.49  Proceeds; how expended.--The proceeds derived

22  from the sale of said bonds shall be held by the school board

23  and shall be expended by the board for the purpose for which

24  said bonds were authorized for said school district, and shall

25  be held and expended in the manner following:

26         (2)  All or any part of the fund derived from the

27  proceeds of any such bond issue that in the judgment of the

28  school board is not immediately needed may be placed in the

29  following securities maturing not later than the time when the

30  funds are reasonably expected to be needed:

31

                                  39

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1         (a)  In investments listed in s. 218.415(16) authorized

  2  in s. 236.24(2)(a) for the district school fund.

  3         Section 12.  Paragraph (b) of subsection (6) of section

  4  237.211, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:

  5         237.211  School depositories; payments into and

  6  withdrawals from depositories.--

  7         (6)  EXEMPTION FOR SELF-INSURANCE PROGRAMS AND

  8  THIRD-PARTY ADMINISTERED EMPLOYEES' FRINGE BENEFIT PROGRAMS.--

  9         (b)  The school board is authorized to contract with an

10  insurance company or professional administrator who holds a

11  valid certificate of authority issued by the Department of

12  Insurance to provide any or all services that a third-party

13  administrator is authorized by law to perform.  Pursuant to

14  such contract, the school board may advance or remit money to

15  the administrator to be deposited in a designated special

16  checking account for paying claims against the school board

17  under its self-insurance programs, and remitting premiums to

18  the providers of insured benefits on behalf of the school

19  board and the participants in such programs, and otherwise

20  fulfilling the obligations imposed upon the administrator by

21  law and the contractual agreements between the school board

22  and the administrator.  The special checking account shall be

23  maintained in a designated district school depository. The

24  school board may replenish such account as often as necessary

25  upon the presentation by the service organization of

26  documentation for claims or premiums due paid equal to the

27  amount of the requested reimbursement.  Such replenishment

28  shall be made by a warrant signed by the chair of the board

29  and countersigned by the superintendent. Such replenishment

30  may be made by electronic, telephonic, or other medium, and

31  each transfer shall be confirmed in writing and signed by the

                                  40

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.






    Florida House of Representatives - 2000              CS/HB 303

    696-164-00






  1  superintendent or his or her designee.  The provisions of

  2  strict accountability of all funds and an annual audit by an

  3  independent certified public accountant as provided in s.

  4  230.23(10)(k)(l) shall apply to this subsection.

  5         Section 13.  Sections 125.31, 166.261, and 218.345,

  6  Florida Statutes, paragraph (k) of subsection (10) of section

  7  230.23, Florida Statutes, and subsection (5) of section

  8  237.161, Florida Statutes, are repealed.

  9         Section 14.  This act shall take effect October 1,

10  2000.

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

                                  41