1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to state financial matters; amending s. |
3 | 121.4501, F.S.; revising and providing definitions; |
4 | providing for excess account balances in the Public |
5 | Employee Optional Retirement Program when an employee |
6 | transfers to the defined benefit program; providing for |
7 | the use of such excess balance; requiring the State Board |
8 | of Administration to resolve complaints; providing for the |
9 | use of records in resolving such complaints; clarifying |
10 | the state board's rule authority with respect to the |
11 | program; amending s. 121.4502, F.S.; establishing a |
12 | forfeiture account in the Public Employee Retirement |
13 | Program Trust Fund; providing for the use of funds in the |
14 | account; amending s. 121.591, F.S.; conforming a cross- |
15 | reference; permitting an application for benefits under |
16 | the optional retirement program to be submitted by |
17 | electronic means; amending s. 121.74, F.S.; revising the |
18 | contribution rates for employers participating in the |
19 | Florida Retirement System; amending s. 121.78, F.S.; |
20 | exempting the Division of Retirement, the state board, and |
21 | the third-party administrator from liability for market |
22 | losses due to acts of God; amending s. 215.44, F.S.; |
23 | expanding the authority of the state board to use trust |
24 | agreements; requiring that the state board create an audit |
25 | committee for specified purposes; providing for duties, |
26 | membership, and term limits; requiring that the state |
27 | board annually produce and report to the Legislature |
28 | certain financial statements; requiring that such |
29 | statements be audited by an independent third-party firm |
30 | under the direction of the audit committee; requiring that |
31 | the state board meet at specified intervals and receive |
32 | reports containing certain information from specified |
33 | entities; amending s. 215.441, F.S.; providing minimum |
34 | qualifications for the executive director of the state |
35 | board; amending s. 215.444, F.S.; increasing membership of |
36 | the Investment Advisory Council; revising membership |
37 | requirements; providing council meeting and reporting |
38 | requirements; providing additional requirements for |
39 | council members; authorizing the council to create |
40 | subcommittees; amending s. 215.47, F.S.; expanding the |
41 | types of investments that the state board is authorized to |
42 | make; authorizing moneys available for investment by the |
43 | state board to be invested in certain federally tax-exempt |
44 | bonds, notes, or obligations not subject to the federal |
45 | alternative minimum tax; providing funds that may be |
46 | invested in a foreign entity; creating s. 215.4754, F.S.; |
47 | providing intent; requiring that the contract for an |
48 | investment adviser or manager include a standard of |
49 | conduct; providing for termination of the contract of an |
50 | adviser or manager who violates the standard of conduct; |
51 | prohibiting a member of the council from contracting with |
52 | or providing services for the investment of certain funds |
53 | during his or her service on the council and for a |
54 | specified period thereafter; creating s. 215.4755, F.S.; |
55 | requiring that an investment advisor or manager annually |
56 | certify to the state board certain activities regarding |
57 | investment decisions and standards of behavior; requiring |
58 | that certain disclosures be made at the request of the |
59 | state board regarding pecuniary interests of an investment |
60 | adviser or manager; amending s. 215.52, F.S.; providing |
61 | requirements for rules made by the state board with |
62 | respect to certain fiduciary duties; amending s. 218.409, |
63 | F.S.; providing for extending a moratorium on |
64 | contributions to or withdrawals from the Local Government |
65 | Surplus Funds Trust Fund under certain circumstances; |
66 | authorizing the state board to develop work products that |
67 | are subject to trademark, copyright, or patent; providing |
68 | an effective date. |
69 |
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70 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
71 |
|
72 | Section 1. Subsection (2), paragraph (e) of subsection |
73 | (4), subsection (6), and paragraphs (a) and (g) of subsection |
74 | (8) of section 121.4501, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
75 | 121.4501 Public Employee Optional Retirement Program.- |
76 | (2) DEFINITIONS.-As used in this part, the term: |
77 | (a) "Approved provider" or "provider" means a private |
78 | sector company that is selected and approved by the state board |
79 | to offer one or more investment products or services to the |
80 | Public Employee optional retirement program. The term includes a |
81 | bundled provider that offers participants a range of |
82 | individually allocated or unallocated investment products and |
83 | may offer a range of administrative and customer services, which |
84 | may include accounting and administration of individual |
85 | participant benefits and contributions; individual participant |
86 | recordkeeping; asset purchase, control, and safekeeping; direct |
87 | execution of the participant's instructions as to asset and |
88 | contribution allocation; calculation of daily net asset values; |
89 | direct access to participant account information; periodic |
90 | reporting to participants, at least quarterly, on account |
91 | balances and transactions; guidance, advice, and allocation |
92 | services directly relating to the provider's its own investment |
93 | options or products, but only if the bundled provider complies |
94 | with the standard of care of s. 404(a)(1)(A-B) of the Employee |
95 | Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and if providing |
96 | such guidance, advice, or allocation services does not |
97 | constitute a prohibited transaction under s. 4975(c)(1) of the |
98 | Internal Revenue Code or s. 406 of ERISA, notwithstanding that |
99 | such prohibited transaction provisions do not apply to the |
100 | optional retirement program; a broad array of distribution |
101 | options; asset allocation; and retirement counseling and |
102 | education. Private sector companies include investment |
103 | management companies, insurance companies, depositories, and |
104 | mutual fund companies. |
105 | (b) "Average monthly compensation" means one-twelfth of |
106 | average final compensation as defined in s. 121.021(24). |
107 | (c) "Covered employment" means employment in a regularly |
108 | established position as defined in s. 121.021(52). |
109 | (d) "Defined benefit program" means the defined benefit |
110 | program of the Florida Retirement System administered under part |
111 | I of this chapter "Department" means the Department of |
112 | Management Services. |
113 | (e) "Division" means the Division of Retirement within the |
114 | department of Management Services. |
115 | (f) "Electronic means" means by telephone, if the required |
116 | information is received on a recorded line, or through Internet |
117 | access, if the required information is captured online. |
118 | (g)(f) "Eligible employee" means an officer or employee, |
119 | as defined in s. 121.021, who: |
120 | 1. Is a member of, or is eligible for membership in, the |
121 | Florida Retirement System, including any renewed member of the |
122 | Florida Retirement System initially enrolled before July 1, |
123 | 2010; or |
124 | 2. Participates in, or is eligible to participate in, the |
125 | Senior Management Service Optional Annuity Program as |
126 | established under s. 121.055(6), the State Community College |
127 | System Optional Retirement Program as established under s. |
128 | 121.051(2)(c), or the State University System Optional |
129 | Retirement Program established under s. 121.35. |
130 |
|
131 | The term does not include any member participating in the |
132 | Deferred Retirement Option Program established under s. |
133 | 121.091(13), a retiree of a state-administered retirement system |
134 | initially reemployed on or after July 1, 2010, or a mandatory |
135 | participant of the State University System Optional Retirement |
136 | Program established under s. 121.35. |
137 | (h)(g) "Employer" means an employer, as defined in s. |
138 | 121.021(10), of an eligible employee. |
139 | (i) "Optional retirement program" or "optional program" |
140 | means the Public Employee Optional Retirement Program |
141 | established under this part. |
142 | (j)(h) "Participant" means an eligible employee who elects |
143 | to participate in the Public Employee Optional Retirement |
144 | Program and enrolls in the such optional program as provided in |
145 | subsection (4) or a terminated Deferred Retirement Option |
146 | Program participant as described in subsection (21). |
147 | (i) "Public Employee Optional Retirement Program," |
148 | "optional program," or "optional retirement program" means the |
149 | alternative defined contribution retirement program established |
150 | under this section. |
151 | (k)(j) "Retiree" means a former participant of the Florida |
152 | Retirement System Public Employee optional retirement program |
153 | who has terminated employment and has taken a distribution as |
154 | provided in s. 121.591, except for a mandatory distribution of a |
155 | de minimis account authorized by the state board. |
156 | (k) "State board" or "board" means the State Board of |
157 | Administration. |
158 | (l) "Trustees" means Trustees of the State Board of |
159 | Administration. |
160 | (l)(m) "Vested" or "vesting" means the guarantee that a |
161 | participant is eligible to receive a retirement benefit upon |
162 | completion of the required years of service under the Public |
163 | Employee optional retirement program. |
164 | (4) PARTICIPATION; ENROLLMENT.- |
165 | (e) After the period during which an eligible employee had |
166 | the choice to elect the defined benefit program or the Public |
167 | Employee optional retirement program, or the month following the |
168 | receipt of the eligible employee's plan election, if sooner, the |
169 | employee shall have one opportunity, at the employee's |
170 | discretion, to choose to move from the defined benefit program |
171 | to the Public Employee optional retirement program or from the |
172 | Public Employee optional retirement program to the defined |
173 | benefit program. Eligible employees may elect to move between |
174 | Florida Retirement System programs only if they are earning |
175 | service credit in an employer-employee relationship consistent |
176 | with the requirements under s. 121.021(17)(b), excluding leaves |
177 | of absence without pay. Effective July 1, 2005, such elections |
178 | are shall be effective on the first day of the month following |
179 | the receipt of the election by the third-party administrator and |
180 | are not subject to the requirements regarding an employer- |
181 | employee relationship or receipt of contributions for the |
182 | eligible employee in the effective month, except that the |
183 | employee must meet the conditions of the previous sentence when |
184 | the election is received by the third-party administrator. This |
185 | paragraph is shall be contingent upon approval from the Internal |
186 | Revenue Service for including the choice described herein within |
187 | the programs offered by the Florida Retirement System. |
188 | 1. If the employee chooses to move to the Public Employee |
189 | optional retirement program, the applicable provisions of this |
190 | section shall govern the transfer. |
191 | 2. If the employee chooses to move to the defined benefit |
192 | program, the employee must transfer from his or her Public |
193 | Employee optional retirement program account, and from other |
194 | employee moneys as necessary, a sum representing the present |
195 | value of that employee's accumulated benefit obligation |
196 | immediately following the time of such movement, determined |
197 | assuming that attained service equals the sum of service in the |
198 | defined benefit program and service in the Public Employee |
199 | optional retirement program. Benefit commencement occurs on the |
200 | first date the employee is would become eligible for unreduced |
201 | benefits, using the discount rate and other relevant actuarial |
202 | assumptions that were used to value the Florida Retirement |
203 | System defined benefit plan liabilities in the most recent |
204 | actuarial valuation. For any employee who, at the time of the |
205 | second election, already maintains an accrued benefit amount in |
206 | the defined benefit program plan, the then-present value of the |
207 | such accrued benefit shall be deemed part of the required |
208 | transfer amount described in this subparagraph. The division |
209 | shall ensure that the transfer sum is prepared using a formula |
210 | and methodology certified by an enrolled actuary. |
211 | 3. Notwithstanding subparagraph 2., an employee who |
212 | chooses to move to the defined benefit program and who became |
213 | eligible to participate in the Public Employee optional |
214 | retirement program by reason of employment in a regularly |
215 | established position with a state employer after June 1, 2002; a |
216 | district school board employer after September 1, 2002; or a |
217 | local employer after December 1, 2002, must transfer from his or |
218 | her Public Employee optional retirement program account, and, |
219 | from other employee moneys as necessary, a sum representing the |
220 | that employee's actuarial accrued liability. |
221 | 4. An employee's Employees' ability to transfer from the |
222 | Florida Retirement System defined benefit program to the Public |
223 | Employee optional retirement program pursuant to paragraphs (a)- |
224 | (d), and the ability of a for current employee employees to have |
225 | an option to later transfer back into |
226 | program under subparagraph 2., shall be |
227 | system amendment. Pursuant to s. |
228 | unfunded liability arising from actual original transfers from |
229 | the defined benefit program to the optional program must shall |
230 | be amortized within 30 plan years as a separate unfunded |
231 | actuarial base independent of the reserve stabilization |
232 | mechanism defined in s. 121.031(3)(f). For the first 25 years, a |
233 | no direct amortization payment may not shall be calculated for |
234 | this base. During this 25-year period, the such separate base |
235 | shall be used to offset the impact of employees exercising their |
236 | second program election under this paragraph. It is the |
237 | legislative intent of the Legislature that the actuarial funded |
238 | status of the Florida Retirement System defined benefit program |
239 | not be affected plan is neither beneficially nor adversely |
240 | impacted by such second program elections in any significant |
241 | manner, after due recognition of the separate unfunded actuarial |
242 | base. Following the this initial 25-year period, any remaining |
243 | balance of the original separate base shall be amortized over |
244 | the remaining 5 years of the required 30-year amortization |
245 | period. |
246 | 5. If the employee chooses to transfer from the optional |
247 | retirement program to the defined benefit program and retains an |
248 | excess account balance in the optional program after satisfying |
249 | the buy-in requirements under this paragraph, the excess may not |
250 | be distributed until the member retires from the defined benefit |
251 | program. The excess account balance may be rolled over to the |
252 | defined benefit program and used to purchase service credit or |
253 | upgrade creditable service in that program. |
254 | (6) VESTING REQUIREMENTS.- |
255 | (a)1. With respect to employer contributions paid on |
256 | behalf of the participant to the Public Employee optional |
257 | retirement program, plus interest and earnings thereon and less |
258 | investment fees and administrative charges, a participant is |
259 | shall be vested after completing 1 work year, as defined in s. |
260 | 121.021(54), with an employer, including any service while the |
261 | participant was a member of the defined benefit retirement |
262 | program or an optional retirement program authorized under s. |
263 | 121.051(2)(c) or s. 121.055(6). |
264 | 2. If the participant terminates employment before prior |
265 | to satisfying the vesting requirements, the nonvested |
266 | accumulation must shall be transferred from the participant's |
267 | accounts to the state board for deposit and investment by the |
268 | state board in the suspense account created within of the Public |
269 | Employee Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund of the board. If |
270 | the terminated participant is reemployed as an eligible employee |
271 | within 5 years, the state board shall transfer to the |
272 | participant's account any amount of the moneys previously |
273 | transferred from the participant's accounts to the suspense |
274 | account of the Public Employee Optional Retirement Program Trust |
275 | Fund, plus the actual earnings on such amount while in the |
276 | suspense account. |
277 | (b)1. With respect to amounts transferred from the defined |
278 | benefit program to the investment program, plus interest and |
279 | earnings, and less investment fees and administrative charges, a |
280 | participant shall be vested in the amount transferred from the |
281 | defined benefit program, plus interest and earnings thereon and |
282 | less administrative charges and investment fees, upon meeting |
283 | the service requirements for the participant's membership class |
284 | as set forth in s. 121.021(29). The third-party administrator |
285 | shall account for such amounts for each participant. The |
286 | division shall notify the participant and the third-party |
287 | administrator when the participant has satisfied the vesting |
288 | period for Florida Retirement System purposes. |
289 | 2. If the participant terminates employment before prior |
290 | to satisfying the vesting requirements, the nonvested |
291 | accumulation must shall be transferred from the participant's |
292 | accounts to the state board for deposit and investment by the |
293 | state board in the suspense account created within of the Public |
294 | Employee Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund of the board. If |
295 | the terminated participant is reemployed as an eligible employee |
296 | within 5 years, the state board shall transfer to the |
297 | participant's account any amount of the moneys previously |
298 | transferred from the participant's accounts to the suspense |
299 | account of the Public Employee Optional Retirement Program Trust |
300 | Fund, plus the actual earnings on such amount while in the |
301 | suspense account. |
302 | (c) Any nonvested accumulations transferred from a |
303 | participant's account to the suspense account shall be forfeited |
304 | by the participant if the participant is not reemployed as an |
305 | eligible employee within 5 years after termination. |
306 | (8) ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM.- |
307 | (a) The Public Employee optional retirement program shall |
308 | be administered by the state board and affected employers. The |
309 | board may is authorized to require oaths, by affidavit or |
310 | otherwise, and acknowledgments from persons in connection with |
311 | the administration of its statutory duties and responsibilities |
312 | for this program under this chapter. An No oath, by affidavit or |
313 | otherwise, may not shall be required of an employee participant |
314 | at the time of enrollment election. Acknowledgment of an |
315 | employee's election to participate in the program shall be no |
316 | greater than necessary to confirm the employee's election. The |
317 | state board shall adopt rules to carry out its statutory duties |
318 | with respect to administering the optional retirement program, |
319 | including establishing the roles role and responsibilities of |
320 | affected state, local government, and education-related |
321 | employers, the state board, the department, and third-party |
322 | contractors in administering the Public Employee optional |
323 | retirement program. The department shall adopt rules necessary |
324 | to administer implement the optional program in coordination |
325 | with the defined benefit retirement program and the disability |
326 | benefits available under the optional program. |
327 | (g) The state board shall receive and resolve participant |
328 | complaints against the program, the third-party administrator, |
329 | or any program vendor or provider; shall resolve any conflict |
330 | between the third-party administrator and an approved provider |
331 | if when such conflict threatens the implementation or |
332 | administration of the program or the quality of services to |
333 | employees; and may resolve any other conflicts. The third-party |
334 | administrator shall retain all participant records for at least |
335 | 5 years for use in resolving any participant conflicts. The |
336 | state board, the third-party administrator, or a provider is not |
337 | required to produce documentation or an audio recording to |
338 | justify action taken with regard to a participant if the action |
339 | occurred 5 or more years before the complaint is submitted to |
340 | the state board. It is presumed that all action taken 5 or more |
341 | years before the complaint is submitted was taken at the request |
342 | of the participant and with the participant's full knowledge and |
343 | consent. To overcome this presumption, the participant must |
344 | present documentary evidence or an audio recording demonstrating |
345 | otherwise. |
346 | Section 2. Subsection (3) is added to section 121.4502, |
347 | Florida Statutes, to read: |
348 | 121.4502 Public Employee Optional Retirement Program Trust |
349 | Fund.- |
350 | (3) A forfeiture account shall be created within the |
351 | Public Employee Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund to hold |
352 | the assets derived from the forfeiture of benefits by |
353 | participants. Pursuant to a private letter ruling from the |
354 | Internal Revenue Service, the forfeiture account may be used |
355 | only for paying expenses of the Public Employee Optional |
356 | Retirement Program and reducing future employer contributions to |
357 | the program. Consistent with Rulings 80-155 and 74-340 of the |
358 | Internal Revenue Service, unallocated reserves within the |
359 | forfeiture account must be used as quickly and as prudently as |
360 | possible considering the state board's fiduciary duty. Expected |
361 | withdrawals from the account must endeavor to reduce the account |
362 | to zero each fiscal year. |
363 | Section 3. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) of |
364 | section 121.591, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
365 | 121.591 Benefits payable under the Public Employee |
366 | Optional Retirement Program of the Florida Retirement System.- |
367 | Benefits may not be paid under this section unless the member |
368 | has terminated employment as provided in s. 121.021(39)(a) or is |
369 | deceased and a proper application has been filed in the manner |
370 | prescribed by the state board or the department. The state board |
371 | or department, as appropriate, may cancel an application for |
372 | retirement benefits when the member or beneficiary fails to |
373 | timely provide the information and documents required by this |
374 | chapter and the rules of the state board and department. In |
375 | accordance with their respective responsibilities as provided |
376 | herein, the State Board of Administration and the Department of |
377 | Management Services shall adopt rules establishing procedures |
378 | for application for retirement benefits and for the cancellation |
379 | of such application when the required information or documents |
380 | are not received. The State Board of Administration and the |
381 | Department of Management Services, as appropriate, are |
382 | authorized to cash out a de minimis account of a participant who |
383 | has been terminated from Florida Retirement System covered |
384 | employment for a minimum of 6 calendar months. A de minimis |
385 | account is an account containing employer contributions and |
386 | accumulated earnings of not more than $5,000 made under the |
387 | provisions of this chapter. Such cash-out must either be a |
388 | complete lump-sum liquidation of the account balance, subject to |
389 | the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, or a lump-sum |
390 | direct rollover distribution paid directly to the custodian of |
391 | an eligible retirement plan, as defined by the Internal Revenue |
392 | Code, on behalf of the participant. If any financial instrument |
393 | issued for the payment of retirement benefits under this section |
394 | is not presented for payment within 180 days after the last day |
395 | of the month in which it was originally issued, the third-party |
396 | administrator or other duly authorized agent of the State Board |
397 | of Administration shall cancel the instrument and credit the |
398 | amount of the instrument to the suspense account of the Public |
399 | Employee Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund authorized under |
400 | s. 121.4501(6). Any such amounts transferred to the suspense |
401 | account are payable upon a proper application, not to include |
402 | earnings thereon, as provided in this section, within 10 years |
403 | after the last day of the month in which the instrument was |
404 | originally issued, after which time such amounts and any |
405 | earnings thereon shall be forfeited. Any such forfeited amounts |
406 | are assets of the Public Employee Optional Retirement Program |
407 | Trust Fund and are not subject to the provisions of chapter 717. |
408 | (1) NORMAL BENEFITS.-Under the Public Employee Optional |
409 | Retirement Program: |
410 | (a) Benefits in the form of vested accumulations as |
411 | described in s. 121.4501(6) are payable under this subsection in |
412 | accordance with the following terms and conditions: |
413 | 1. To the extent vested, benefits are payable only to a |
414 | participant. |
415 | 2. Benefits shall be paid by the third-party administrator |
416 | or designated approved providers in accordance with the law, the |
417 | contracts, and any applicable board rule or policy. |
418 | 3. To receive benefits, the participant must be terminated |
419 | from all employment with all Florida Retirement System |
420 | employers, as provided in s. 121.021(39). |
421 | 4. Benefit payments may not be made until the participant |
422 | has been terminated for 3 calendar months, except that the board |
423 | may authorize by rule for the distribution of up to 10 percent |
424 | of the participant's account after being terminated for 1 |
425 | calendar month if the participant has reached the normal |
426 | retirement date as defined in s. 121.021 of the defined benefit |
427 | plan. |
428 | 5. If a member or former member of the Florida Retirement |
429 | System receives an invalid distribution from the Public Employee |
430 | Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund, such person must repay |
431 | the full invalid distribution to the trust fund within 90 days |
432 | after receipt of final notification by the state board or the |
433 | third-party administrator that the distribution was invalid. If |
434 | such person fails to repay the full invalid distribution within |
435 | 90 days after receipt of final notification, the person may be |
436 | deemed retired from the optional retirement program by the state |
437 | board, as provided pursuant to s. 121.4501(2)(k)(j), and is |
438 | subject to s. 121.122. If such person is deemed retired by the |
439 | state board, any joint and several liability set out in s. |
440 | 121.091(9)(d)2. becomes null and void, and the state board, the |
441 | department, or the employing agency is not liable for gains on |
442 | payroll contributions that have not been deposited to the |
443 | person's account in the retirement program, pending resolution |
444 | of the invalid distribution. The member or former member who has |
445 | been deemed retired or who has been determined by the board to |
446 | have taken an invalid distribution may appeal the agency |
447 | decision through the complaint process as provided under s. |
448 | 121.4501(9)(g)3. As used in this subparagraph, the term "invalid |
449 | distribution" means any distribution from an account in the |
450 | optional retirement program which is taken in violation of this |
451 | section, s. 121.091(9), or s. 121.4501. |
452 | (b) If a participant elects to receive his or her benefits |
453 | upon termination of employment as defined in s. 121.021, the |
454 | participant must submit a written application or an application |
455 | by electronic means an equivalent form to the third-party |
456 | administrator indicating his or her preferred distribution date |
457 | and selecting an authorized method of distribution as provided |
458 | in paragraph (c). The participant may defer receipt of benefits |
459 | until he or she chooses to make such application, subject to |
460 | federal requirements. |
461 | Section 4. Section 121.74, Florida Statutes, is amended to |
462 | read: |
463 | 121.74 Administrative and educational expenses.-In |
464 | addition to contributions required under s. 121.71, effective |
465 | July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2014, employers participating in |
466 | the Florida Retirement System shall contribute an amount equal |
467 | to 0.03 0.05 percent of the payroll reported for each class or |
468 | subclass of Florida Retirement System membership; effective July |
469 | 1, 2014, the contribution rate shall be 0.04 percent of the |
470 | payroll reported for each class or subclass of membership. The, |
471 | which amount contributed shall be transferred by the Division of |
472 | Retirement from the Florida Retirement System Contributions |
473 | Clearing Trust Fund to the State Board of Administration's |
474 | Administrative Trust Fund to offset the costs of administering |
475 | the optional retirement program and the costs of providing |
476 | educational services to participants in the defined benefit |
477 | program and the optional retirement program. Approval of the |
478 | trustees of the State Board of Administration is required before |
479 | prior to the expenditure of these funds. Payments for third- |
480 | party administrative or educational expenses shall be made only |
481 | pursuant to the terms of the approved contracts for such |
482 | services. |
483 | Section 5. Subsection (3) of section 121.78, Florida |
484 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
485 | 121.78 Payment and distribution of contributions.- |
486 | (3)(a) Employer contributions and accompanying payroll |
487 | data received after the 5th working day of the month are shall |
488 | be considered late. The employer shall be assessed by the |
489 | Division of Retirement a penalty of 1 percent of the |
490 | contributions due for each calendar month or part thereof that |
491 | the contributions or accompanying payroll data are late. |
492 | Proceeds from the 1-percent assessment against contributions |
493 | made on behalf of participants of the defined benefit program |
494 | shall be deposited in the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund, |
495 | and proceeds from the 1-percent assessment against contributions |
496 | made on behalf of participants of the optional retirement |
497 | program shall be transferred to the third-party administrator |
498 | for deposit into participant accounts, as provided in paragraph |
499 | (b). |
500 | (b) If contributions made by an employer on behalf of |
501 | participants of the optional retirement program or accompanying |
502 | payroll data are not received within the calendar month they are |
503 | due, including, but not limited to, contribution adjustments as |
504 | a result of employer errors or corrections, and if that |
505 | delinquency results in market losses to participants, the |
506 | employer shall reimburse each participant's account for market |
507 | losses resulting from the late contributions. If a participant |
508 | has terminated employment and taken a distribution, the |
509 | participant is responsible for returning any excess |
510 | contributions erroneously provided by employers, adjusted for |
511 | any investment gain or loss incurred during the period such |
512 | excess contributions were in the participant's Public Employee |
513 | Optional Retirement Program account. The state board of |
514 | Administration or its designated agent shall communicate to |
515 | terminated participants any obligation to repay such excess |
516 | contribution amounts. However, the state board of |
517 | Administration, its designated agents, the Public Employee |
518 | Optional Retirement Program Trust Fund, the department of |
519 | Management Services, or the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund |
520 | may shall not incur any loss or gain as a result of an |
521 | employer's correction of such excess contributions. The third- |
522 | party administrator, hired by the state board pursuant to s. |
523 | 121.4501(8), shall calculate the market losses for each affected |
524 | participant. If When contributions made on behalf of |
525 | participants of the optional retirement program or accompanying |
526 | payroll data are not received within the calendar month due, the |
527 | employer shall also pay the cost of the third-party |
528 | administrator's calculation and reconciliation adjustments |
529 | resulting from the late contributions. The third-party |
530 | administrator shall notify the employer of the results of the |
531 | calculations and the total amount due from the employer for such |
532 | losses and the costs of calculation and reconciliation. The |
533 | employer shall remit to the Division of Retirement the amount |
534 | due within 30 10 working days after the date of the penalty |
535 | notice sent by the division. The division shall transfer that |
536 | said amount to the third-party administrator, which who shall |
537 | deposit proceeds from the 1-percent assessment and from |
538 | individual market losses into participant accounts, as |
539 | appropriate. The state board may is authorized to adopt rules to |
540 | administer implement the provisions regarding late |
541 | contributions, late submission of payroll data, the process for |
542 | reimbursing participant accounts for resultant market losses, |
543 | and the penalties charged to the employers. |
544 | (c) Delinquency fees may be waived by the Division of |
545 | Retirement, with regard to defined benefit program |
546 | contributions, and by the state board of Administration, with |
547 | regard to optional retirement program contributions, only if |
548 | when, in the opinion of the division or the board, as |
549 | appropriate, exceptional circumstances beyond the employer's |
550 | control prevented remittance by the prescribed due date |
551 | notwithstanding the employer's good faith efforts to effect |
552 | delivery. Such a waiver of delinquency may be granted an |
553 | employer only once one time each state fiscal year. |
554 | (d) If contributions made by an employer on behalf of |
555 | participants in the optional retirement program are delayed in |
556 | posting to participant accounts due to acts of God beyond the |
557 | control of the Division of Retirement, the state board, or the |
558 | third-party administrator, as applicable, market losses |
559 | resulting from the late contributions are not payable to the |
560 | participants. |
561 | Section 6. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 215.44, |
562 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
563 | 215.44 Board of Administration; powers and duties in |
564 | relation to investment of trust funds.- |
565 | (1) Except when otherwise specifically provided by the |
566 | State Constitution and subject to any limitations of the trust |
567 | agreement relating to a trust fund, the Board of Administration, |
568 | hereinafter sometimes referred to in this chapter as "board," or |
569 | "Trustees of the State Board of Administration," composed of the |
570 | Governor as chair, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Attorney |
571 | General, shall invest all the funds in the System Trust Fund, as |
572 | defined in s. 121.021(36), and all other funds specifically |
573 | required by law to be invested by the board pursuant to ss. |
574 | 215.44-215.53 to the fullest extent that is consistent with the |
575 | cash requirements, trust agreement, and investment objectives of |
576 | the fund. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the |
577 | State Board of Administration may invest any funds of any state |
578 | agency, any state university or college, or any unit of local |
579 | government, or any direct-support organization thereof pursuant |
580 | to the terms of a trust agreement with the head of the state |
581 | agency or the governing body of the state university or college, |
582 | unit of local government, or direct-support organization |
583 | thereof, or pursuant to the enrollment requirements stated in s. |
584 | 218.407, and may invest such funds in the Local Government |
585 | Surplus Funds Trust Fund created by s. 218.405., which trust |
586 | agreement shall govern the investment of such funds, provided |
587 | that The board shall approve the undertaking of investments |
588 | subject to a trust agreement such investment before execution of |
589 | such the trust agreement by the State Board of Administration. |
590 | The funds and the earnings therefrom are exempt from the service |
591 | charge imposed by s. 215.20. As used in this subsection, the |
592 | term "state agency" has the same meaning as that provided in s. |
593 | 216.011 216.001, and the terms "governing body" and "unit of |
594 | local government" have the same meaning as that provided in s. |
595 | 218.403. |
596 | (2)(a) The board shall have the power to make purchases, |
597 | sales, exchanges, investments, and reinvestments for and on |
598 | behalf of the funds referred to in subsection (1), and it shall |
599 | be the duty of the board to see that moneys invested under the |
600 | provisions of ss. 215.44-215.53 are at all times handled in the |
601 | best interests of the state. |
602 | (b) In exercising investment authority pursuant to s. |
603 | 215.47, the board may retain investment advisers or managers, or |
604 | both, external to in-house staff, to assist the board in |
605 | carrying out the power specified in paragraph (a). |
606 | (c) The board shall create an audit committee to assist |
607 | the board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The |
608 | committee shall consist of three members appointed by the board. |
609 | Members shall be appointed for 4-year terms. A vacancy shall be |
610 | filled for the remainder of the unexpired term. The committee |
611 | shall annually elect a chair and vice chair from its membership. |
612 | A member may not be elected to consecutive terms as chair or |
613 | vice chair. Persons appointed to the audit committee must have |
614 | relevant knowledge and expertise as determined by the board. The |
615 | audit committee shall serve as an independent and objective |
616 | party to monitor processes for financial reporting, internal |
617 | controls and risk assessment, audit processes, and compliance |
618 | with laws, rules, and regulations. The audit committee shall |
619 | direct the efforts of the board's independent external auditors |
620 | and the board's internal audit staff. The committee shall |
621 | periodically, but not less than quarterly, report to the board |
622 | and the executive director of the board. |
623 | (d) The board shall produce a set of financial statements |
624 | for the Florida Retirement System on an annual basis, which |
625 | shall be reported to the Legislature and audited by a commercial |
626 | independent third-party audit firm. |
627 | (e) The board shall meet at least quarterly and shall |
628 | receive reports from the audit committee, the investment |
629 | advisory committee, the inspector general, the general counsel, |
630 | the executive director, and such other persons or entities as |
631 | the board may require about the financial status, operations, |
632 | and investment activities of the board. |
633 | Section 7. Section 215.441, Florida Statutes, is amended |
634 | to read: |
635 | 215.441 Board of Administration; appointment of executive |
636 | director.-The appointment of the executive director of the State |
637 | Board of Administration shall be subject to the approval by a |
638 | majority vote of the Board of Trustees of the State Board of |
639 | Administration, and the Governor must vote on the prevailing |
640 | side. Such appointment must be reaffirmed in the same manner by |
641 | the board of trustees on an annual basis. The executive director |
642 | shall, at a minimum, possess substantial experience, knowledge, |
643 | and expertise in the oversight of investment portfolios and must |
644 | meet any other requirements determined by the board to be |
645 | necessary to the overall management and investment of funds. |
646 | Section 8. Section 215.444, Florida Statutes, is amended |
647 | to read: |
648 | 215.444 Investment Advisory Council.- |
649 | (1) There is created a six-member Investment Advisory |
650 | Council to review the investments made by the staff of the Board |
651 | of Administration and to make recommendations to the board |
652 | regarding investment policy, strategy, and procedures. Beginning |
653 | February 1, 2011, the membership of the council shall be |
654 | expanded to nine members. The council shall meet with staff of |
655 | the board at least once each quarter and shall provide a |
656 | quarterly report directly to the Board of Trustees of the State |
657 | Board of Administration at a meeting of the board. |
658 | (2) The members of the council shall be appointed by the |
659 | board as a resource to the Board of Trustees of the State Board |
660 | of Administration and shall be subject to confirmation by the |
661 | Senate. These individuals shall possess special knowledge, |
662 | experience, and familiarity with financial investments and |
663 | portfolio management, institutional investments, and fiduciary |
664 | responsibilities. Members shall be appointed for 4-year terms. A |
665 | vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term. |
666 | The council shall annually elect a chair and a vice chair from |
667 | its membership. A member may not be elected to consecutive terms |
668 | as chair or vice chair. |
669 | (3) The council members must undergo regular fiduciary |
670 | training as required by the board and must complete an annual |
671 | conflict disclosure statement. In carrying out their duties, |
672 | council members must make recommendations consistent with the |
673 | fiduciary standards applicable to the board. |
674 | (4) The council may create subcommittees as necessary to |
675 | carry out its duties and responsibilities. |
676 | Section 9. Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1), |
677 | paragraph (a) of subsection (2), and subsection (5) of section |
678 | 215.47, Florida Statutes, are amended, paragraph (o) is added to |
679 | subsection (1) of that section, and subsection (20) is added to |
680 | that section, to read: |
681 | 215.47 Investments; authorized securities; loan of |
682 | securities.-Subject to the limitations and conditions of the |
683 | State Constitution or of the trust agreement relating to a trust |
684 | fund, moneys available for investments under ss. 215.44-215.53 |
685 | may be invested as follows: |
686 | (1) Without limitation in: |
687 | (b) State Bonds, notes, or obligations of any state or |
688 | organized territory of the United States or the District of |
689 | Columbia that pledge pledging the full faith and credit of the |
690 | state, territory, or district; and revenue bonds, notes, or |
691 | obligations of any state or organized territory of the United |
692 | States or the District of Columbia additionally secured by the |
693 | full faith and credit of the state, territory, or district. |
694 | (c) Bonds, notes, or obligations of the several counties |
695 | or districts in any the state or organized territory of the |
696 | United States or the District of Columbia containing a pledge of |
697 | the full faith and credit of the county or district involved. |
698 | (o) Bonds, notes, or obligations described in 26 U.S.C. s. |
699 | 149(g)(3)(B), if investment in such bonds, notes, or obligations |
700 | is necessary in order to comply with covenants in documents or |
701 | proceedings relating to bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.555(6). |
702 | Investments made pursuant to this paragraph may be purchased |
703 | only from the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to s. 215.555(6) |
704 | and must be authorized under documents or proceedings relating |
705 | to such bonds. |
706 | (2) With no more than 25 percent of any fund in: |
707 | (a) Bonds, notes, or obligations of any state or organized |
708 | territory of the United States or the District of Columbia; of |
709 | any municipality or political subdivision or any agency, |
710 | district, or authority thereof; or of any agency or authority of |
711 | this state, if the obligations are rated investment grade by at |
712 | least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization. |
713 | (5) With no more than 25 percent of any fund in corporate |
714 | obligations and securities of any kind of a foreign corporation |
715 | or a foreign commercial entity having its principal office |
716 | located in any country other than the United States of America |
717 | or its possessions or territories, not including United States |
718 | dollar-denominated securities listed and traded on a United |
719 | States exchange which are a part of the ordinary investment |
720 | strategy of the board. |
721 | (20) Notwithstanding the provisions in subsection (5) |
722 | limiting such investments to 25 percent of any fund, the board |
723 | may invest no more than 35 percent of any fund in corporate |
724 | obligations and securities of any kind of a foreign corporation |
725 | or a foreign commercial entity having its principal office |
726 | located in any country other than the United States or its |
727 | possessions or territories, not including United States dollar- |
728 | denominated securities listed and traded on a United States |
729 | exchange that are a part of the ordinary investment strategy of |
730 | the board. |
731 | Section 10. Section 215.4754, Florida Statutes, is created |
732 | to read: |
733 | 215.4754 Ethics requirements for investment advisers and |
734 | managers and members of the Investment Advisory Council.-The |
735 | intent of this section is to promote independence and the |
736 | avoidance of conflicts and improper influence by certain |
737 | investment advisers and managers without creating unnecessary |
738 | barriers to the board performing its investment duties |
739 | consistent with its fiduciary standards, investment performance, |
740 | and business relationships. |
741 | (1) A contract under which an investment adviser or |
742 | manager has been retained to exercise investment authority on |
743 | behalf of the board for direct holdings shall require that the |
744 | investment adviser or manager abide by a standard of conduct |
745 | pursuant to s. 215.4755. Any such contract may be terminated by |
746 | the board if the investment adviser or manager violates such |
747 | standard of conduct. |
748 | (2) An Investment Advisory Council member or any business |
749 | organization or any affiliate thereof that is owned by or |
750 | employs such member may not directly or indirectly contract with |
751 | or provide any services for the investment of trust funds |
752 | invested by the board during the time of such member's service |
753 | on the council or for 2 years thereafter. |
754 | Section 11. Section 215.4755, Florida Statutes, is created |
755 | to read: |
756 | 215.4755 Certification and disclosure requirements for |
757 | investment advisers and managers.- |
758 | (1) An investment adviser or manager who has discretionary |
759 | investment authority for direct holdings and who is retained as |
760 | provided in s. 215.44(2)(c) shall agree pursuant to contract to |
761 | annually certify in writing to the board that: |
762 | (a) All investment decisions made on behalf of the trust |
763 | funds and the board are made in the best interests of the trust |
764 | funds and the board and not made in a manner to the advantage of |
765 | such investment adviser or manager, other persons, or clients to |
766 | the detriment of the trust funds and the board. |
767 | (b) Appropriate policies, procedures, or other safeguards |
768 | have been adopted and implemented to ensure that relationships |
769 | with any affiliated persons or entities do not adversely |
770 | influence the investment decisions made on behalf of the trust |
771 | funds and the board. |
772 | (c) A written code of ethics, conduct, or other set of |
773 | standards, which governs the professional behavior and |
774 | expectations of owners, general partners, directors or managers, |
775 | officers, and employees of the investment adviser or manager, |
776 | has been adopted and implemented and is effectively monitored |
777 | and enforced. The investment advisers' and managers' code of |
778 | ethics shall require that: |
779 | 1. Officers and employees involved in the investment |
780 | process refrain from personal business activity that could |
781 | conflict with the proper execution and management of the |
782 | investment program over which the investment adviser or manager |
783 | has discretionary investment authority or that could impair |
784 | their ability to make impartial decisions with respect to such |
785 | investment program; and |
786 | 2. Officers and employees refrain from undertaking |
787 | personal investment transactions with the same individual with |
788 | whom business is conducted on behalf of the board. |
789 | (d) The investment adviser or manager has proactively and |
790 | promptly disclosed to the board, notwithstanding subsection (2), |
791 | any known circumstances or situations that a prudent person |
792 | could expect to create an actual, potential, or perceived |
793 | conflict of interest, including specifically: |
794 | 1. Any material interests in or with financial |
795 | institutions with which officers and employees conduct business |
796 | on behalf of the trust funds and the board; and |
797 | 2. Any personal financial or investment positions of the |
798 | investment advisor or manager that could be related to the |
799 | performance of an investment program over which the investment |
800 | adviser or manager has discretionary investment authority on |
801 | behalf of the board. |
802 | (2) At the board's request, an investment adviser or |
803 | manager who has discretionary investment authority over direct |
804 | holdings and who is retained as provided in s. 215.44(2)(c) |
805 | shall disclose in writing to the board: |
806 | (a) Any nonconfidential, nonproprietary information or |
807 | reports to substantiate the certifications required under |
808 | subsection (1). |
809 | (b) All direct or indirect pecuniary interests that the |
810 | investment adviser or manager has in or with any party to a |
811 | transaction with the board, if the transaction is related to any |
812 | discretionary investment authority that the investment adviser |
813 | or manager exercises on behalf of the board. |
814 | (3) An investment adviser or manager certification |
815 | required under subsection (1) shall be provided annually, no |
816 | later than January 31, for the reporting period of the previous |
817 | calendar year on a form prescribed by the board. |
818 | Section 12. Section 215.52, Florida Statutes, is amended |
819 | to read: |
820 | 215.52 Rules and regulations.-The board shall have the |
821 | power and authority to make reasonable rules and regulations |
822 | necessary to carry out the provisions of ss. 215.44-215.53. The |
823 | rules shall provide for full transparency and accountability in |
824 | fulfillment of the board's fiduciary duties in the areas of |
825 | compliance, ethics, training, and audit procedures. |
826 | Section 13. Paragraph (a) of subsection (8) of section |
827 | 218.409, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: |
828 | 218.409 Administration of the trust fund; creation of |
829 | advisory council.- |
830 | (8)(a) The principal, and any part thereof, of each and |
831 | every account constituting the trust fund is shall be subject to |
832 | payment at any time from the moneys in the trust fund. However, |
833 | the executive director may, in good faith, on the occurrence of |
834 | an event that has a material impact on liquidity or operations |
835 | of the trust fund, for 48 hours limit contributions to or |
836 | withdrawals from the trust fund to ensure that the board can |
837 | invest moneys entrusted to it in exercising its fiduciary |
838 | responsibility. Such action must shall be immediately disclosed |
839 | to all participants, the trustees, the Joint Legislative |
840 | Auditing Committee, the Investment Advisory Council, and the |
841 | Participant Local Government Advisory Council. The trustees |
842 | shall convene an emergency meeting as soon as practicable from |
843 | the time the executive director has instituted such measures and |
844 | review the necessity of those measures. If the trustees are |
845 | unable to convene an emergency meeting before the expiration of |
846 | the 48-hour moratorium on contributions and withdrawals, the |
847 | moratorium may be extended by the executive director until the |
848 | trustees are able to meet to review the necessity for the |
849 | moratorium. If the trustees agree with such measures, the |
850 | trustees shall vote to continue the measures for up to an |
851 | additional 15 days. The trustees must convene and vote to |
852 | continue any such measures before prior to the expiration of the |
853 | time limit set, but in no case may the time limit set by the |
854 | trustees exceed 15 days. |
855 | Section 14. Trademarks, copyrights, or patents.-The State |
856 | Board of Administration, on behalf of the Florida Retirement |
857 | System or any other trust fund under its jurisdiction, may |
858 | develop work products that are subject to trademark, copyright, |
859 | or patent statutes. The board may, in its own name or through |
860 | the growth initiative program created pursuant to s. 215.47(7), |
861 | Florida Statutes, or any other program developed with or for the |
862 | board: |
863 | (1) Perform all things necessary to secure letters of |
864 | patent, copyrights, or trademarks on any work products and |
865 | enforce its rights therein. |
866 | (2) License, lease, assign, or otherwise give written |
867 | consent to any person for the manufacture or use of its work |
868 | products on a royalty basis or for such other consideration as |
869 | the board deems proper. |
870 | (3) Take any action necessary, including legal action, to |
871 | protect its work products against improper or unlawful use or |
872 | infringement. |
873 | (4) Enforce the collection of any sums due the board for |
874 | the manufacture or use of its work products by any other party. |
875 | (5) Sell any of its work products and execute all |
876 | instruments necessary to consummate any such sale. |
877 | (6) Do all other acts necessary and proper for the |
878 | execution of powers and duties provided under this section. |
879 | Section 15. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010. |