Section 10-7B-8 - Group self-insurance fund; investment.

10-7B-8. Group self-insurance fund; investment.

A.     In making investments of the fund, the director shall consider the relative safety of the investment and the need for liquidity in the fund, as well as the income to be produced. No investment of the fund shall have a maturity date, or similar date before which it may not be liquidated for cash without penalty, premium, deduction, surcharge or interest rate decrease, later than one year from the date of purchase.   

B.     The director may seek such investment advice as he deems proper. State agencies with investment expertise, including but not limited to the state treasurer, the state investment council, the state investment officer and the state board of finance, shall cooperate in providing investment advice upon the director's request. The director may contract with an investment advisor and pay him from the fund. Any such investment advisor shall have at least a bachelor's degree in economics, accounting, business administration or a related field from an accredited college or university and shall have at least five years of experience as an investment advisor or as a funds investment manager or a combination of both.   

C.     Any commission paid for the purchase or sale of any securities pursuant to this section shall be reasonable and shall not exceed the brokerage rate for such transaction charged at the time of purchase or sale by national brokerage firms.   

D.     Investment of the fund shall be made with the exercise of that degree of judgment and care, under the circumstances then prevailing, which men of prudence, discretion and intelligence exercise in the management of their own affairs, not for speculation but for investment, considering the probable safety of their capital as well as the probable income to be derived.   

E.     Securities purchased from the fund shall be held in the custody of the state treasurer. At the director's direction, the state treasurer shall deposit the securities with a bank or trust company for safekeeping or servicing.   

F.     The director may delegate his investment authority to the state treasurer, who shall make investments or reinvestments of the fund in accordance with this section.