Article 6.
Treasurer.
§ 147-65. Salary of State Treasurer.
The salary of the State Treasurer shall be as established in the Current Operations Appropriations Act. In addition to the salary set by the General Assembly in the Current Operations Appropriations Act, longevity pay shall be paid on the same basis as is provided to employees of the State who are subject to the North Carolina Human Resources Act. (Code, s. 3723; 1891, c. 505; Rev., s. 2739; 1907, c. 830, s. 3; c. 994, s. 2; 1917, c. 161; 1919, c. 233; c. 247, s. 3; C.S., s. 3868; Ex. Sess. 1920, c. 49, s. 2; 1921, c. 11, s. 1; 1935, c. 249; 1941, c. 1; 1947, c. 1041; 1949, c. 1278; 1953, c. 1, s. 2; 1957, c. 1; 1963, c. 1178, s. 1; 1967, c. 1130; c. 1237, s. 1; 1969, c. 1214, s. 1; 1971, c. 912, s. 1; 1973, c. 778, s. 1; 1975, 2nd Sess., c. 983, s. 16; 1977, c. 802, s. 42.9; 1983, c. 761, s. 215; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1034, s. 164; 1987, c. 738, s. 32(b); 2013-382, s. 9.1(c).)
§ 147-66. Office and office hours.
The Treasurer shall keep his or her office at the City of Raleigh, and shall attend there between the hours of 10 o'clock A.M. and three o'clock P.M., Saturdays, Sundays, periods of travel, and legal holidays excepted. The Treasurer shall be allowed such office room as may be necessary. (1868-9, c. 270, ss. 80, 81; Code, s. 3362; Rev., s. 5369; C.S., s. 7679; 2016-55, s. 1.1.)
§ 147-67. Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 884, s. 14.
§ 147-68. To receive and disburse moneys; to make reports.
(a) It is the duty of the Treasurer to receive all moneys which shall from time to time be paid into the treasury of this State; and to pay all warrants legally drawn on the Treasurer.
(b) No moneys shall be paid out of the treasury except on warrant or pursuant to an electronic transfer initiated by the State, unless one of the following applies:
(1) There is a legislative appropriation or authority to pay the same.
(2) There is an electronic debit initiated by the federal government or by the government of another state to satisfy a bona fide financial obligation of the State.
(c) It shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer to determine that all warrants presented to him for payment are valid and legally drawn on the Treasurer.
(d) Recodified as G.S. 147-69.12(c) by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 4.1(b), effective July 1, 2016, and applicable to all reporting periods beginning on or after that date.
(d1) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 4.1(d), effective July 1, 2016, and applicable to all reporting periods beginning on or after that date.
(d2) Repealed by by Session Laws 2021-180, s. 37.12(a), effective November 18, 2021, and applicable to reports submitted on or after that date.
(e) The State Treasurer, in carrying out the responsibilities of this section, shall be independent of any fiscal control exercise by the Director of the Budget or the Department of Administration and shall be responsible to the General Assembly and the people of North Carolina for the efficient and faithful exercise of the responsibilities of his office. The State Treasurer, for all other purposes, is subject to Chapter 143C of the General Statutes. (1868-9, c. 270, s. 71; Code, s. 3356; Rev., s. 5370; C.S., s. 7682; 1955, c. 577; 1957, c. 269, s. 1; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1282, s. 65; 1983, c. 913, s. 52; 2000-67, s. 24A; 2003-284, s. 28.2(a); 2004-129, s. 46A; 2006-203, s. 118; 2007-323, s. 13.2(b); 2016-55, ss. 4.1(b), (d); 2020-29, s. 5; 2021-180, s. 37.12(a).)
§ 147-68.1. Banking operations.
The cost of administration, management, and operations of the banking operations of the Department of State Treasurer shall be apportioned and paid equitably among the funds and programs using these services, in a manner prescribed by the State Treasurer. To the extent not otherwise chargeable directly to the income or assets of a specific fund or program, the cost of administration, management and operations of the banking operations of the Department of State Treasurer shall be paid from the income and assets of the funds and programs using these services. Any apportionment and payment under this section shall be accounted for in a manner determined by the State Treasurer. (1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1034, s. 118; 2023-93, s. 1.)
§ 147-68.2. Confidentiality of warrants issued by the State.
Information contained in records held by the State about outstanding, unpaid warrants issued by the State are confidential and not available for public inspection to the extent that the Treasurer determines that information would be sufficient to counterfeit a warrant. (2017-129, s. 6.)
§ 147-69. Deposits of State funds in banks and savings and loan associations regulated.
Banks and savings and loan associations having State deposits shall furnish to the Auditor of the State, upon the Auditor's request, a statement of the moneys which have been received and paid by them on account of the treasury. The Treasurer shall keep in the Treasurer's office a full account of all moneys deposited in and drawn from all banks and savings and loan associations in which the Treasurer may deposit or cause to be deposited any of the public funds, and these accounts shall be open to the inspection of the Auditor. The Treasurer shall sign all checks, and no depository bank or savings and loan association shall be authorized to pay checks not bearing the Treasurer's official signature. The Treasurer is authorized to use a facsimile signature machine or device in affixing the Treasurer's signature to warrants, checks or any other instrument the Treasurer is required by law to sign. The Commissioner of Banks, the bank examiners, and the savings and loan examiners, when so required by the State Treasurer, shall keep the State Treasurer fully informed at all times as to the condition of all these depository banks and savings and loan associations, so as to fully protect the State from loss. The State Treasurer shall, before making deposits in any bank or savings and loan association, require ample security from the bank or savings and loan association for these deposits. (1905, c. 520; Rev., s. 5371; 1915, c. 168; 1917, c. 159; C.S., s. 7684; 1931, c. 127, s. 1; c. 243, s. 5; 1933, c. 175, s. 1; 1945, c. 644; 1949, c. 1183; 1967, c. 398, s. 2; 1977, c. 401, s. 1; 1983, c. 158, s. 4; 1987, c. 751, s. 1; 1989, c. 76, s. 27; 2001-193, s. 16; 2004-203, s. 11.)
§ 147-69.1. Investments authorized for General Fund and Highway Funds assets.
(a) The Governor and Council of State, with the advice and assistance of the State Treasurer, shall adopt such rules and regulations as shall be necessary and appropriate to implement the provisions of this section.
(b) This section applies to funds held by the State Treasurer to the credit of:
(1) The General Fund;
(2) The Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund.
(c) It shall be the duty of the State Treasurer to invest the cash of the funds enumerated in subsection (b) of this section in excess of the amount required to meet the current needs and demands on such funds, selecting from among the following:
(1) Obligations of the United States or obligations fully guaranteed both as to principal and interest by the United States.
(2) Obligations of the Federal Farm Credit Bank, the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Fannie Mae, the Government National Mortgage Association, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Finance Corporation, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the African Development Bank.
(3) Repurchase Agreements with respect to one or more of the following:
a. Securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or its agencies.
b. Securities eligible for investment by this section executed by a bank or trust company or by primary or other reporting dealers to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
c. Securities eligible for investment by this section executed by a registered broker-dealer that is subject to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member in good standing of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
(4) Obligations of the State of North Carolina.
(5) Certificates of deposit and other deposit accounts of financial institutions under any of the following conditions:
a. With financial institutions with a physical presence in the State for the purpose of receiving commercial or retail deposits; provided that any principal amount of such deposit in excess of the amount insured by the federal government or any agency thereof, be fully secured by surety bonds, or be fully collateralized; provided further that the rate of return or investment yield may not be less than that available in the market on United States government or agency obligations of comparable maturity.
b. With financial institutions with a physical presence inside or outside the State, in accordance with all of the following conditions:
1. The funds are initially deposited through a bank or savings and loan association in the State that is an official depository and that is selected by the State Treasurer, provided that the rate of return or investment yield shall not be less than that available in the market on United States government or agency obligations of comparable maturity.
2. The selected bank or savings and loan association arranges for the redeposit of the funds in deposit accounts of the State in one or more federally insured banks or savings and loan associations wherever located, provided that no State funds shall be deposited in a bank or savings and loan association that at the time holds other deposits from the State.
3. The full amount of principal and any accrued interest of each deposit account are covered by federal deposit insurance.
4. The selected bank or savings and loan association acts as custodian for the State with respect to the deposit in the State's account.
5. On the same date that the State funds are redeposited, the selected bank or savings and loan association receives an amount of federally insured deposits from customers of other financial institutions wherever located equal to or greater than the amount of the funds invested by the State through the selected bank or savings and loan association pursuant to this sub-subdivision.
(6) Repealed by Session Laws 1989 (Regular Session, 1990), c. 813, s. 10.
(7) Prime quality commercial paper that, when acquired, bears the highest rating, such as a minimum of "P1," "A1," or "F1," of at least one nationally recognized rating service designated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and does not bear a rating below the highest by any nationally recognized rating service which rates the particular obligation.
(8) Bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by a commercial bank and eligible for use as collateral by member banks in borrowing from a federal reserve bank, provided that when bills or drafts are acquired, the accepting bank or its holding company is either (i) incorporated in the State of North Carolina or (ii) has outstanding publicly held obligations that bear the highest rating, such as a minimum of "P1," "A1," or "F1," of at least one nationally recognized rating service designated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and do not bear a rating below the highest by any nationally recognized rating service which rates the particular obligations.
(9) Asset-backed securities (whether considered debt or equity) provided, when acquired, the securities bear the highest rating, such as "AAA" or "Aaa," of at least one nationally recognized rating service designated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and do not bear a rating below the highest rating by any nationally recognized rating service which rates the particular securities.
(10) Corporate bonds and notes provided they, when acquired, bear the highest rating, such as "AAA" or "Aaa," of at least one nationally recognized rating service designated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and do not bear a rating below the highest by any nationally recognized rating service which rates the particular obligation.
(d) Unless otherwise provided by law, the interest or income received and accruing from all deposits or investments of such cash balances shall be paid into the State's General Fund, except that all interest or income received and accruing on the monthly balance of the Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund shall be paid into the State Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund. The cash balances of the several funds may be combined for deposit or investment purposes; and when such combined deposits or investments are made, the interest or income received and accruing from all deposits or investments shall be prorated among the funds in conformity with applicable law and the rules and regulations adopted by the Governor and Council of State.
(e) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 4.1(c), effective July 1, 2016, and applicable to all reporting periods beginning on or after that date.
(f) Repealed by Session Laws 1989 (Regular Session, 1990), c. 813, s. 10.
(g) Repealed by Session Laws 2001-444, s. 1, effective October 1, 2001. (1943, c. 2; 1949, c. 213; 1957, c. 1401; 1961, c. 833, s. 2.2; 1967, c. 398, s. 1969, c. 125; 1975, c. 482; 1979, c. 467, s. 1; c. 717, s. 1; 1981, c. 801, ss. 1, 2; 1985, c. 313, s. 3; 1987, c. 751, ss. 2-4; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 882, s. 5; 1989, c. 76, s. 28; c. 751, s. 7(43); 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 813, s. 10; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 959, s. 75; 1993, c. 105, s. 2; 1999-251, s. 1; 2001-444, s. 1; 2001-487, s. 14(m); 2005-394, s. 1; 2013-305, s. 3; 2015-241, s. 21.2(c); 2015-268, s. 7.5; 2016-55, ss. 1.2, 4.1(c).)
§ 147-69.2. Investments authorized for special funds held by State Treasurer.
(a) This section applies to funds held by the State Treasurer to the credit of each of the following:
(1) The Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System of North Carolina.
(2) The Consolidated Judicial Retirement System of North Carolina.
(3) The State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees.
(4) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 1.3, effective January 31, 2017.
(5) The Disability Salary Continuation Income Plan of North Carolina.
(6) The North Carolina Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Pension Fund.
(7) The North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System.
(8) The Legislative Retirement System of North Carolina.
(9) The Escheat Fund.
(10) The Legislative Retirement Fund.
(11) The State Education Assistance Authority.
(12) The State Property Fire Insurance Fund.
(13) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 1.3, effective January 31, 2017.
(14) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 1.3, effective January 31, 2017.
(15) The State Public Education Property Insurance Fund.
(15a) Repealed by Session Laws 2020-69, s. 9(b), effective July 1, 2020.
(16) The Liability Insurance Trust Fund.
(16a) The University of North Carolina Hospitals at Chapel Hill funds, except appropriated funds, deposited with the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 116-350.40.
(17) Trust funds of The University of North Carolina and its constituent institutions deposited with the State Treasurer pursuant to G.S. 116-36.1.
(17a) North Carolina Veterans Home Trust Fund.
(17b) North Carolina National Guard Pension Fund.
(17c) Retiree Health Benefit Fund.
(17d) The Election Fund.
(17e) The North Carolina State Lottery Fund.
(17f) Funds deposited with the State Treasurer by public hospitals pursuant to G.S. 159-39(g).
(17g) Funds deposited with the State Treasurer by Local Government Other Post-Employment Benefits Trusts pursuant to G.S. 159-30.1.
(17h) The Local Government Law Enforcement Special Separation Allowance Fund.
(17i) The North Carolina Conservation Easement Endowment Fund.
(17j) The Conservation Grant Fund.
(17k) The Wildlife Endowment Fund.
(17l) The Ecosystem Restoration Fund.
(17m) The Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund.
(17n) The Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund.
(18) Any other special fund created by or pursuant to law for purposes other than meeting appropriations made pursuant to the Executive Budget Act.
(19) The Swain County Settlement Trust Fund.
(20) Institutional funds of the colleges of the North Carolina Community College System.
(21) The Disability Income Plan of North Carolina.
(22) The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Trust Fund.
(23) The Catawba Unit No. 1 Decommissioning Trust Fund and the Catawba Unit No. 2 Decommissioning Trust Fund established by North Carolina Municipal Power Agency Number 1, as described in G.S. 159B-18(b)(6).
(24) Funds deposited with the State Treasurer by charter schools pursuant to G.S. 115C-218.15(f).
(b) It shall be the duty of the State Treasurer to invest the cash of the funds enumerated in subsection (a) of this section in excess of the amount required to meet the current needs and demands on these funds. The State Treasurer may invest the funds as provided in this subsection in the manner authorized by subsection (e) of this section. If an investment was authorized by this subsection at the time the investment was made or contractually committed to be made, then that investment shall continue to be authorized by this subsection, and none of the percentage or other limitation on investments set forth in this subsection shall be construed to require the State Treasurer to subsequently dispose of the investment or fail to honor any contractual commitments as a result of changes in market values, ratings, or other investment qualifications. For purposes of computing market values on which percentage limitations on investments in this subsection are based, all investments shall be valued as of the last date of the most recent fiscal quarter. Notwithstanding anything in this section to the contrary, the State Treasurer shall categorize investment management arrangements according to the primary investment type or primary strategy utilized under the arrangement authorized under subsection (e) of this section. No investment management arrangement may be categorized in more than one of the subdivisions of this section. The State Treasurer shall select from among the following investments subject to the following limitations and requirements:
(1) Investments authorized by G.S. 147-69.1(c)(1)-(7).
(2) General obligations of other states of the United States.
(3) General obligations of cities, counties and special districts in North Carolina.
(4) Obligations of any company, other organization or legal entity incorporated or otherwise created or located within or outside the United States, including obligations that are convertible into equity securities, if, when acquired, the obligations are within one of the four highest rating categories regardless of gradations, such as ratings beginning with "AAA," "AA," "A," or either "BBB" or "Baa," of at least one nationally recognized rating service designated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(5) Repealed by Session Laws 2001-444, s. 2, effective October 1, 2001.
(6) Asset-backed securities (whether considered debt or equity), if, when acquired, the obligations are within one of the four highest ratings categories regardless of gradations, such as ratings beginning with "AAA," "AA," "A," or either "BBB" or "Baa," of at least one nationally recognized rating service designated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
(6a) In addition to the limitations and requirements with respect to the investments of the Retirement Systems set forth in this subsection, the State Treasurer shall select investments of the assets of the Retirement Systems such that investments made pursuant to subdivisions (b)(1) through (6) of this section shall at all times equal or exceed twenty percent (20%) of the market value of all invested assets of the Retirement Systems.
(6b) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 1.3, effective January 31, 2017.
(6c) With respect to Retirement Systems' assets referred to in subdivision (b)(8), they may be invested, within or outside the United States, in obligations, debt securities, and asset-backed securities, whether considered debt or equity, including obligations and securities convertible into other securities, that do not meet the requirements of any of subdivisions (b)(1) through (6) of this section nor subdivision (b)(7) of this section. The amount invested under this subdivision shall not exceed seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the market value of all invested assets of the Retirement Systems.
(7) Retirement Systems' assets referred to in subdivision (8) of this subsection may be invested in strategies managed primarily for the purpose of owning real estate or related debt financing, excluding asset-backed financing and timberlands, located within or outside the United States. The amount invested under this subdivision shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the market value of all invested assets of the Retirement Systems.
(8) With respect to assets of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System, the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System, the Firefighters' and Rescue Workers' Pension Fund, the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, the Legislative Retirement System, the North Carolina National Guard Pension Fund, the Registers of Deeds' Supplemental Pension Fund, and the Retiree Health Benefit Fund (hereinafter referred to collectively as the Retirement Systems), they may be invested in a strategy composed primarily of equity securities traded on a public securities exchange or market organized and regulated pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction of the exchange or market and issued by any company incorporated or otherwise created or located within or outside the United States as long as the investments meet the conditions of this subdivision. The investments authorized for the Retirement Systems under this subdivision are subject to the following limitations:
a. Repealed by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 1.3, effective January 31, 2017.
a1. The aggregate amount of the investments cannot exceed sixty-five percent (65%) of the market value of all invested assets of the Retirement Systems.
b. The aggregate amount of the investment invested through investment companies described in sub-subdivision (e)(4)b. of this section shall not exceed eight and one-half percent (8.5%) of the market value of all invested assets of the Retirement Systems, except that the market value of group trusts and individual, common, or collective trust funds of banks and trust companies shall not be applied against this limit.
c. Repealed by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 1.3, effective January 31, 2017.
(9) With respect to Retirement Systems' assets, as defined in subdivision (b)(8) of this subsection, they may be invested in (i) a strategy composed primarily of private equity, or corporate buyout transactions, within or outside the United States or (ii) an arrangement authorized under subsection (e) of this section with the primary purpose to engage in other strategies not expressly authorized by any other subdivision of this subsection. The amount invested under this subdivision shall not exceed eight and three-quarters percent (8.75%) of the market value of all invested assets of the Retirement Systems.
(9a) With respect to Retirement Systems' assets, as defined in subdivision (b)(8) of this subsection, they may be invested, within or outside the United States, in obligations, debt securities, asset-backed securities, whether considered debt or equity, and other investments that are acquired by the Treasurer for the primary purpose of providing protection against risks associated with inflation, along with timberland, natural resources, commodities, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, and other tangible and intangible real assets. The amount invested under this subdivision shall not exceed seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the market value of all invested assets of the Retirement Systems.
(10) Recodified as part of subdivision (b)(9) by Session Laws 2000-160, s. 2.
(10a) With respect to Retirement Systems' assets, as defined in subdivision (8) of this subsection, the market value of any of subdivision (6c) or (7), sub-subdivision b. of subdivision (8), or subdivision (9) or (9a) of this subsection shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the market value of all invested assets of the Retirement Systems; and the aggregate market value of all assets invested pursuant to subdivisions (6c) and (7), sub-subdivision b. of subdivision (8), and subdivisions (9) and (9a) of this subsection shall not exceed thirty-five percent (35%) of the market value of all invested assets of the Retirement Systems.
(11) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-360, s. 6.3(c), effective July 1, 2013.
(12) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Escheat Fund provide a perpetual and sustainable source of funding for the purposes authorized by the State Constitution. Accordingly, the following provisions apply:
a. With respect to assets of the Escheat Fund, in addition to those investments authorized by subdivisions (1) through (6) of this subsection, up to ten percent (10%) of the assets may be invested in the investments authorized under subdivisions (6c) through (9a) of this subsection, notwithstanding the percentage limitations imposed on the Retirement Systems' investments under those subdivisions, and provided that the State Treasurer may invest the assets as provided in subsection (e) of this section.
b. Repealed by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 1.3, effective January 31, 2017.
c. The State Treasurer shall invest, in addition to those investments authorized by sub-subdivision a. of this subdivision, ten percent (10%) of the net assets of the Escheat Fund as authorized under G.S. 147-69.2A.
(b1) The State Treasurer shall appoint an Investment Advisory Committee, which shall consist of seven members: the State Treasurer, who shall be chairman ex officio; two members selected from among the members of the boards of trustees of the Retirement Systems; and four members selected from the general public. All appointed members must have experience in areas relevant to the administration of a large, diversified investment program, including, but not limited to, investment management, securities law, real estate development, or absolute return strategies. The State Treasurer shall also appoint a Secretary of the Investment Advisory Committee who need not be a member of the committee. Members of the committee shall receive for their services the same per diem and allowances granted to members of the State boards and commissions generally. The committee shall have advisory powers only and membership shall not be deemed a public office within the meaning of Article VI, Section 9 of the Constitution of North Carolina or G.S. 128-1.1.
(b2) The State Treasurer may invest funds deposited pursuant to subdivision (a)(17f) of this section in any of the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(1) through (6), subdivision (b)(6c), and subdivision (b)(8) of this section, notwithstanding the percentage limitations imposed on the Retirement Systems' investments therein. The State Treasurer may require a minimum deposit, up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), and may assess reasonable fees, not to exceed 15 basis points per annum, as a condition of participation pursuant to this subsection. Funds deposited pursuant to this subsection by a hospital shall remain the funds of that hospital, and interest or other investment income earned thereon shall be prorated and credited to the contributing hospital on the basis of the amounts thereof contributed, figured according to sound accounting principles. Fees assessed by the State Treasurer may be used to defray the cost of administering investments pursuant to this subsection and expenditures authorized under this section.
(b3) The State Treasurer may invest funds deposited pursuant to subdivision (a)(16a) of this section in any of the investments authorized under subdivisions (1) through (6), subdivision (6c) and subdivision (b)(8) of this section, notwithstanding the percentage limitations imposed on the Retirement Systems' investments therein. The State Treasurer may require a minimum deposit, up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), and may assess reasonable fees, not to exceed 15 basis points per annum, as a condition of participation pursuant to this subsection. Funds deposited pursuant to this subsection by the University of North Carolina Hospitals at Chapel Hill shall remain the funds of the University of North Carolina Hospitals at Chapel Hill, and interest or other investment income earned thereon shall be prorated and credited to the University of North Carolina Hospitals at Chapel Hill on the basis of the amounts thereof contributed, figured according to sound accounting principles. Fees assessed by the State Treasurer may be used to defray the cost of administering investments pursuant to this subsection and expenditures authorized under this section.
(b4) In addition to the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(1) through (6) of this section, the State Treasurer may invest funds deposited pursuant to subdivision (17g) of subsection (a) of this section in any of the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(6c) and (b)(8) of this section, notwithstanding the percentage limitations imposed on the Retirement Systems' investments therein. Funds deposited pursuant to this subsection by a Local Government Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust and interest or other investment income earned from those funds shall be prorated and credited to the contributing trust on the basis of the amounts contributed, figured according to sound accounting principles. For investments under subdivisions (b)(6c) and (b)(8) of this section, the State Treasurer may require a minimum deposit of up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and may assess reasonable fees of up to 15 basis points per annum as a condition of participation pursuant to this subsection. Fees assessed by the State Treasurer may be used to defray the costs of administering the Fund and expenditures authorized under this section.
(b5) In addition to the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(1) through (6) of this section, the State Treasurer may invest funds deposited in the Local Government Law Enforcement Special Separation Allowance Fund in any of the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(6c) and (b)(8) of this section, notwithstanding the percentage limitations imposed on the Retirement Systems' investments therein. For investments from that Fund made under subdivisions (b)(6c) and (b)(8) of this section, the State Treasurer may require a minimum deposit of up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and may assess reasonable fees of up to 15 basis points per annum as a condition of making the investment. The fee may be used to defray the costs of administering the Fund and expenditures authorized under this section.
(b6) In addition to the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(1) through (6) of this section, the State Treasurer may invest funds deposited in the Catawba Unit No. 1 Decommissioning Trust Fund and the Catawba Unit No. 2 Decommissioning Trust Fund in any of the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(6c) and (b)(8) of this section, notwithstanding the percentage limitations imposed on the Retirement Systems' investments therein. For investments from the Funds made under subdivisions (b)(6c) and (b)(8) of this section, the State Treasurer may require a minimum deposit of up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and may assess reasonable fees of up to 15 basis points per annum as a condition of making the investment. The fee may be used to defray the costs of administering the Fund and expenditures authorized under this section.
(b7) In addition to the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(1) through (6) of this section, the State Treasurer may invest funds deposited in the Swain County Settlement Trust Fund in any of the investments authorized under subdivision (b)(8) of this section, notwithstanding the percentage limitations imposed on the Retirement Systems' investments therein. For investments from that Fund made under subdivision (b)(8) of this section, the State Treasurer may require a minimum deposit of up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and may assess reasonable fees of up to 15 basis points per annum as a condition of making the investment. The fee may be used to defray the costs of administering the Fund and expenditures authorized under this section.
(b8) In addition to the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(1) through (6) of this section, the State Treasurer may invest funds deposited pursuant to subdivision (24) of subsection (a) of this section in any of the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(6c) and (b)(8) of this section, notwithstanding the percentage limitations imposed on the Retirement Systems' investments therein. For investments from that Fund made under subdivisions (b)(6c) and (b)(8) of this section, the State Treasurer may require a minimum deposit of up to fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and may assess reasonable fees of up to 15 basis points per annum as a condition of making the investment. The fee may be used to defray the costs of administering investments and expenditures authorized under this section.
(c) Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 501, s. 2.
(d) The State Treasurer may invest funds deposited pursuant to subdivisions (17i), (17j), (17k), (17l), and (17n) of subsection (a) of this section in any of the investments authorized under subdivisions (1) through (6) and subdivision (8) of subsection (b) of this section. The State Treasurer may require a minimum deposit, up to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), and may assess a reasonable fee, not to exceed 15 basis points, as a condition of participation pursuant to this subsection. Fees assessed by the State Treasurer may be used to defray the costs of administering the funds and expenditures authorized under this section. Funds deposited pursuant to this subsection shall remain the funds of the North Carolina Conservation Easement Endowment Fund, the Conservation Grant Fund, the Ecosystem Restoration Fund, the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund, or the Wildlife Endowment Fund, as applicable, and interest or other investment income earned thereon shall be prorated and credited to the North Carolina Conservation Easement Endowment Fund, the Conservation Grant Fund, the Ecosystem Restoration Fund, the Riparian Buffer Restoration Fund, or the Wildlife Endowment Fund on the basis of the amounts contributed to the respective Funds, figured according to sound accounting principles.
(e) Investments made pursuant to this section may be made as internally managed investments by the State Treasurer or may be made through third-party investment management arrangements, under the following conditions:
(1) Internally managed portfolios shall be subject to industry standard portfolio guidelines developed with periodic consultation by the Investment Advisory Committee.
(2) In assessing whether to invest directly or to utilize indirect third-party investment management arrangements, the State Treasurer shall consider all material factors he or she considers relevant to the decision consistent with the Treasurer's fiduciary duties under G.S. 147-69.7, including financial, operational, and investment expertise and resources, alignment of interests and investor protections, transparency and repeatability of investment process, risk controls, and cost-effectiveness.
(3) For any third-party investment management arrangements, the investment manager must have total assets under management of at least one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) at the inception of the investment management arrangement with the State Treasurer.
(4) Third-party investment management arrangements may be with persons and legal entities located within or outside the United States, including through any of the following:
a. Contractual arrangements in which the investment manager has delegated discretion and authority to invest assets.
b. Investment companies as defined under United States generally accepted accounting principles as promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, including without limitation entities registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940; individual, common, or collective trust funds of banks and trust companies; limited partnerships; limited liability companies or other limited liability investment vehicles; and insurance contracts that provide for participation in individual or pooled separate accounts of insurance companies.
Any limited liability investment vehicles organized by the State Treasurer shall be deemed investment companies for the purposes of this subsection.
(5) Investment companies shall provide annual audited financial statements to the State Treasurer, unless the State Treasurer waives the requirement after conducting a cost-benefit analysis.
(6) In connection with any investment otherwise authorized under this section, the State Treasurer may enter into an indemnification agreement provided that, under any agreement, the liability of the State Treasurer will be limited to the amount of the State Treasurer's contractual investment. (1979, c. 467, s. 2; 1983, c. 702, ss. 1-9; 1987, c. 446, s. 1; c. 751, s. 5; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1070; 1989, c. 770, s. 54; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 813, s. 11; c. 848, s. 5; 1991, c. 542, s. 16; c. 636, s. 3; c. 749, s. 8; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 777, s. 4(i); 1995, c. 346, s. 2; c. 501, s. 2; 1997-456, s. 27; 1999-237, s. 27.16; 1999-251, s. 2; 2000-160, s. 2; 2001-444, ss. 2, 3; 2003-12, s. 2; 2004-124, s. 30.22(b); 2005-144, s. 7; 2005-201, s. 2; 2005-252, s. 1; 2005-276, s. 28.17; 2005-344, s. 10; 2005-417, s. 2; 2007-323, s. 27.7; 2007-384, ss. 2, 3, 7, 8; 2008-13, s. 2; 2008-107, ss. 12.9(b), (c), 12.13; 2009-98, s. 1; 2009-283, s. 2; 2009-451, s. 25.2(a); 2010-175, ss. 3, 4; 2011-145, ss. 6.10(a), 8.20(c); 2011-211, s. 1; 2011-340, s. 4(a), (b); 2012-130, s. 10; 2012-142, s. 6.4; 2012-178, s. 6; 2013-284, s. 1(d); 2013-360, s. 6.3(c); 2013-398, s. 1; 2015-164, s. 3(a); 2015-241, ss. 6.3(a), 14.2; 2016-55, s. 1.3; 2017-57, s. 13A.2(b), (c); 2017-102, s. 28.1(a); 2017-125, s. 6; 2018-5, ss. 5.3(e), 13.5; 2019-162, s. 5; 2019-176, s. 3(e); 2020-69, s. 9(a), (b); 2020-78, s. 7.3(a), (b); 2021-73, ss. 1(b), 2(a); 2022-53, s. 9.5(c); 2022-74, s. 20.4(b); 2023-46, s. 22(a); 2023-134, s. 4.10(y).)
§ 147-69.2A. Investments; special funds held by the State Treasurer.
(a) Firm to Administer Special Fund. - Following a public procurement process, a designee of the Governor, a designee of the State Treasurer, a designee of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and a designee of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall jointly and unanimously select a third-party professional investment management firm, subject to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, to administer a special fund created to invest assets described in G.S. 147-69.2(b)(12)c. and select investment opportunities appropriate for receiving allocations from the Fund on the basis of potential return on investment and the risks attendant thereto. The State Treasurer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the oversight of the Fund. All costs for the third-party investment management firm and the professional and clerical staff shall be borne by the Fund pursuant to G.S. 147-69.3(f). The State Treasurer shall discharge his or her duties with respect to the Fund as a fiduciary consistent with G.S. 147-69.7.
(b) Organization and Reporting. - All documents of the Governor or the State Treasurer concerning the Fund are public records governed by Chapter 132 of the General Statutes and any applicable provisions of the General Statutes protecting confidential information.
The State Treasurer and the Governor shall jointly develop and adopt an investment policy statement for the Fund.
The State Treasurer and Governor shall jointly adopt a common policy to prevent conflicts of interests such that (i) the designees of the State Treasurer and Governor who selected the third-party investment management firm, (ii) the staff of the State Treasurer overseeing the Fund, and (iii) the third-party investment management firm's employees selecting or overseeing Fund investments do not provide services for compensation (as an employee, consultant, or otherwise), within two years after the end of their service to the Fund, to any entity in which an investment from the Fund was made.
(c) Types of Investments. - Assets of the Fund may be invested in those types of investments authorized for the North Carolina Retirement Systems by G.S. 147-69.2(b), notwithstanding the percentage limitations imposed on the Retirement Systems' investments under those subdivisions.
(d) Report on Escheat Fund Financial Status. - The State Treasurer shall engage a third-party professional consultant to conduct an assessment and projection of the financial status of the Escheat Fund. The associated costs for the services may be directly charged to the Escheat Fund. The State Treasurer shall communicate the assessment of the consultant in an annual report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the chairs of the respective appropriations and appropriate substantive committees of each chamber. The annual report shall evaluate claims by owners upon the Escheat Fund, current and projected investment returns, and projected contributions to the Escheat Fund, current and projected legislative appropriations, and authorized expenses. In the report, the State Treasurer shall assess the status of utilizing the Escheat Fund as an endowment fund and shall recommend an annual amount available for the funding of scholarships, loans, and grants from the Fund. The annual report shall be presented no later than December 31 of each year. (2015-241, s. 6.3(b); 2016-55, ss. 1.4(a), (b), 4.3; 2017-129, s. 10; 2021-180, s. 37.12(b).)
§ 147-69.3. Administration of State Treasurer's investment programs.
(a) The State Treasurer shall establish, maintain, administer, manage, and operate within the Department of State Treasurer one or more investment programs for the deposit and investment of assets pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 147-69.1 and G.S. 147-69.2. Different Retirement Systems and other funds held by the State Treasurer may be invested collectively or separately in the State Treasurer's discretion consistent with the fiduciary duties stated in G.S. 147-69.7.
(b) Any official, board, commission, other public authority, local government, school administrative unit, charter school, local ABC board, or community college of the State having custody of any funds not required by law to be deposited with and invested by the State Treasurer may deposit all or any portion of those funds with the State Treasurer for investment in one of the investment programs established pursuant to this section, subject to any provisions of law with respect to eligible investments, provided that any occupational licensing board as defined in G.S. 93B-1 may participate in one of the investment programs established pursuant to this section regardless of whether or not the funds were required by law to be deposited with and invested by the State Treasurer. In the absence of specific statutory provisions to the contrary, any of those funds may be invested in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 147-69.2 and 147-69.3. Upon request from any depositor eligible under this subsection, the State Treasurer may authorize moneys invested pursuant to this subsection to be withdrawn by warrant on the State Treasurer.
(c) The State Treasurer's investment programs shall be so managed that in the judgment of the State Treasurer funds may be readily converted into cash when needed.
(d) Except as provided by G.S. 147-69.1(d), the total return earned on investments shall accrue pro rata to the fund whose assets are invested according to the formula prescribed by the State Treasurer with the approval of the Governor and Council of State.
(e) The State Treasurer has full powers as a fiduciary to hold, purchase, sell, assign, transfer, lend and dispose of any of the securities or investments in which any of the programs created pursuant to this section have been invested, and may reinvest the proceeds from the sale of those securities or investments and any other investable assets of the program.
(f) The cost of administration, management, and operation of investment programs established pursuant to this section shall be apportioned and paid equitably among the programs in a manner prescribed by the State Treasurer. To the extent not otherwise chargeable directly to the income or assets of a specific investment program or pooled investment vehicle, the cost of administration, management, and operation of investment programs established pursuant to this section shall be paid from the income and assets of the investment programs. Any apportionment and payment under this section shall be accounted for in a manner determined by the State Treasurer.
(g) The State Treasurer is authorized to retain the services of independent appraisers, auditors, actuaries, attorneys, investment counseling firms, statisticians, custodians, or other persons or firms possessing specialized skills or knowledge necessary for the proper administration of investment programs created pursuant to this section.
(h), (i) Repealed by Session Laws 2016-55, s. 2.1, effective January 31, 2017.
(i1) The State Treasurer shall report the incentive bonus paid to the Chief Investment Officer to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations by October 1 of each year.
(i2) In order to promote achievement of long-term investment objectives and to retain key public employees with investment functions, the State Treasurer is authorized to establish, consistent with the State Treasurer's fiduciary duties, market-oriented compensation plans, including salaries and performance-related bonuses, for employees possessing specialized skills or knowledge necessary for the proper administration of investment programs, who shall be exempt from the classification and compensation rules established by the Office of State Human Resources. The design and administration of those compensation plans shall be based on compensation studies conducted by a nationally recognized firm specializing in public fund investment compensation. The compensation and other associated employee benefits shall be apportioned directly from the investment program. The Treasurer shall report the salaries and bonuses paid to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on General Government annually.
(i3) The Treasurer may invest in the countries of Sudan and South Sudan to the extent not prohibited by the United States Government, or to the extent that such investment is part of an index or index replication strategy, a commingled fund, limited partnership, or similar investment vehicle, or a derivative instrument.
(j) Subject to the provisions of G.S. 147-69.1(d), the State Treasurer shall adopt any rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. (1979, c. 467, s. 3; 1981, c. 445, ss. 4, 5; 1983, c. 515, s. 1; c. 702, s. 10; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1034, ss. 116, 117; 1987, c. 751, ss. 6-8; 2001-444, s. 4; 2002-126, s. 6.12; 2005-276, s. 27.3; 2006-203, s. 119; 2008-132, s. 5; 2014-100, s. 33.2(a); 2016-55, s. 2.1; 2021-58, s. 1(a); 2022-53, s. 9.5(d); 2023-93, s. 2.)
§ 147-69.3A. Liability insurance for State Treasurer.
(a) The State Treasurer may purchase commercial insurance of any kind to cover all risks or potential liability of the State Treasurer, boards in the Department of the State Treasurer, members of boards in the Department of the State Treasurer, and employees and agents of the State Treasurer, including the risks and potential liability related to investments managed by the State Treasurer.
(b) Board members and employees of boards in the Department of the State Treasurer shall be considered State employees for purposes of Articles 31 and 31A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes. To the extent that the State Treasurer purchases commercial liability insurance coverage in excess of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) per claim for liability arising under Article 31 or 31A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the provisions of G.S. 143-299.4 shall not apply. To the extent that the State Treasurer purchases commercial insurance coverage for liability arising under Article 31 or 31A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, the provisions of G.S. 143-300.6(a) shall not apply.
(c) The purchase of insurance by the State Treasurer under this section shall not be construed to waive sovereign immunity or any other defense available to the State Treasurer, boards in the Department of the State Treasurer, members of boards in the Department of the State Treasurer, or employees or agents of the State Treasurer in an action or contested matter in any court, agency, or tribunal. The purchase of insurance by the State Treasurer shall not be construed to alter or expand the limitations on claims or payments established in G.S. 143-299.2 or limit the right of the State Treasurer, board members, employees, or agents to defense by the State as provided by G.S. 143-300.3. (2011-300, s. 1.)
§ 147-69.4: Repealed by Session Laws 2010-175, s. 5, effective July 1, 2010.
§ 147-69.5. Local Government Law Enforcement Special Separation Allowance Fund.
The Local Government Law Enforcement Special Separation Allowance Fund is established as a fund in the Office of the State Treasurer under the management of the Treasurer. The Fund consists of contributions made by entities authorized to make contributions to the Fund and interest and other investment income earned by the Fund. Contributions to the Fund are irrevocable. Assets of the Fund may be used only to provide law enforcement special separation allowance benefits to individuals who are former employees of a unit of local government that contributes to the Fund and are entitled to law enforcement special separation allowance payable by the unit. The assets of the Fund are not subject to the claims of creditors of an entity that contributes to the Fund. (2007-384, s. 6.)
§ 147-69.6. Swain County Settlement Trust Fund.
(a) The Swain County Settlement Trust Fund is established as a special fund in the Office of the State Treasurer under the management of the Treasurer. The Treasurer may invest the assets of the Fund in any of the investments authorized under subdivisions (b)(1) through (6) and subdivision (b)(8) of G.S. 147-69.2. The Fund shall consist of the proceeds of any payments made by the United States in settlement of the 1943 agreement between Swain County and the United States Department of Interior, such other contributions as Swain County or other entities may choose to make to the Fund, and the interest and other investment income earned by the Fund. For the purposes of this section, the initial balance of the Fund shall be defined as fifty-two million dollars ($52,000,000).
(a1) Contributions to the Fund are irrevocable. Assets in the Fund may be disbursed only to Swain County.
(b) The State Treasurer shall disburse to Swain County amounts requested by the Swain County Board of Commissioners pursuant to a majority vote of that body, provided that disbursements to Swain County under this subsection shall not be made from the initial balance of the Fund. Disbursements made pursuant to this subsection shall occur no more frequently than once per quarter.
(c) No portion of the initial balance of the Fund may be disbursed to Swain County absent a request by the Swain County Board of Commissioners accompanied by a certification by the Swain County Board of Elections that two-thirds of the registered voters of Swain County voted in favor of the disbursement and subsequent expenditure of the amount requested in a referendum conducted under subsection (f) of this section.
(d) Funds disbursed to Swain County under subsections (b) or (c) of this section shall be managed by the county in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act, as amended.
(e) No part of the initial balance of the Swain County Settlement Trust Fund or of any interest or other income earned on that initial balance may be paid to or received by any agent or attorney on account of services rendered in connection with negotiating the settlement agreement between Swain County and the United States Department of Interior or obtaining the monetary settlement from the United States.
(f) The Board of Commissioners of Swain County may direct the Swain County Board of Elections to conduct an advisory referendum on the question of whether any portion of the initial balance of the Fund should be disbursed to and expended by the county for a particular purpose. The election shall be held in accordance with the procedures of G.S. 163-287. The question to be presented on the ballot shall disclose the specific purpose proposed for expenditure of the initial balance of the Trust Fund and the amount proposed for expenditure.
(g) The Swain County Settlement Trust Fund is subject to the oversight of the State Auditor pursuant to Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes.
(h) The Swain County Settlement Trust Fund and the income therefrom shall not take the place of or be counted against any other State appropriations or program providing funds or disbursements to Swain County. (2008-13, s. 3; 2013-381, s. 10.22; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, ss. 3.1(a), (b), 6.1; 2019-133, s. 1; 2021-73, s. 2(b).)
§ 147-69.6A. (Repealed) Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Trust Fund. (2019-162, s. 6; repealed by 2022-74, s. 20.4(b), effective July 1, 2022.)
§ 147-69.7. Discharge of duties to funds.
(a) The State Treasurer shall discharge his or her duties with respect to each fund or investment program held by the State Treasurer, including each of the funds, enumerated in G.S. 147-69.2 as follows:
(1) Solely in the interest of the intended beneficiaries of the fund, if any.
(2) For the exclusive purpose of carrying out the purpose of the fund, including providing benefits to participants and beneficiaries, and paying reasonable expenses of administering the fund.
(3) With the care, skill, and caution that a prudent investor would use after considering the purposes, distribution requirements, and other circumstances then prevailing.
(4) Impartially, taking into account any differing interests of participants and beneficiaries.
(5) Incurring only costs that are appropriate and reasonable.
(6) In accordance with a good-faith interpretation of the provisions of G.S. 147-69.2 and any other applicable law governing the fund.
(b) In investing and managing assets of the fund pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the State Treasurer:
(1) Shall consider the following circumstances:
a. General economic conditions.
b. The possible effect of inflation or deflation.
c. The role that each investment or course of action plays within the overall portfolio of the fund.
d. The expected total return from income and the appreciation of capital.
e. Needs for liquidity, regularity of income, and preservation or appreciation of capital.
f. With respect to the Retirement Systems defined in G.S. 147-69.2(b)(8) and any other pension plans, the adequacy of funding for the Retirement Systems based on reasonable actuarial factors.
g. The purpose of the fund, if established.
(2) Shall diversify the investments of the fund unless the State Treasurer reasonably determines that, because of special circumstances, including applicable investment restrictions, it is clearly prudent not to do so.
(3) Shall make a reasonable effort to verify facts relevant to the investment and management of assets of the funds.
(4) Shall invest only in those investments authorized by law consistent with the provisions of Article 6 of Chapter 146 of the General Statutes.
(5) Shall, in the evaluation of an investment, or evaluation or exercise of any right appurtenant to an investment, consider only pecuniary factors [in accordance with the following]:
a. For the purposes of this section, a pecuniary factor is a factor that has a material effect on the financial risk or financial return of an investment based on appropriate investment horizons consistent with the purpose of the fund, if established.
b. Environmental or social considerations are pecuniary factors only if they present economic risks or opportunities that qualified investment professionals would treat as material economic considerations under generally accepted investment theories. The weight given to those factors shall solely reflect a prudent assessment of their impact on risk and return.
(6) May, in the evaluation or exercise of any right appurtenant to an investment, reasonably conclude that not exercising such a right is in the best interest of the fund's beneficiaries.
(c) Compliance by the State Treasurer with this section must be determined in light of the facts and circumstances existing at the time of the Treasurer's decision or action and not by hindsight.
(d) The State Treasurer's investment and management decisions must be evaluated not in isolation but in the context of the portfolio of the fund as a whole and as part of an overall investment strategy having risk and return objectives reasonably suited to the fund.
(e) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the State Treasurer shall have no duty to assist or advise any official, board, commission, local government, other public authority, school administrative unit, local ABC board, community college of the State, or other person, trust, agency, institution, or entity in connection with any of the following decisions and directions with respect to any funds to be deposited with and invested by the State Treasurer:
(1) The voluntary decision to deposit or withdraw funds in accordance with applicable law in one or more of the State Treasurer's investment programs.
(2) The voluntary direction as to the allocation of deposited funds in accordance with applicable law among the State Treasurer's investment programs.
(3) Any other decision or direction by which the depositor exercises control over assets deposited or to be deposited with the State Treasurer in accordance with applicable law. (2009-283, s. 3; 2013-284, s. 1(e); 2013-398, s. 2; 2013-410, s. 27.5; 2016-55, s. 2.2; 2020-48, s. 1.18; 2023-64, s. 2.)
§ 147-69.8. Annual report on new investment authority.
Whenever the General Assembly broadens the investment authority of the State Treasurer as to the General Fund, the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System, the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System, the Firefighters' and Rescue Squad Workers' Pension Fund, the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, the Legislative Retirement System, the North Carolina National Guard Pension Fund, or any idle funds, the State Treasurer shall annually report in detail to the General Assembly the investments made under such new authority, including the returns on those investments, earnings, changes to value, and gains and losses in disposition of such investments. The report shall be made no later than the first six months of each calendar year, covering performance in the prior fiscal year. As to each type of new investment authority, the report shall be made for at least four years. To the extent the information required by this section is also required in the reports under G.S. 147-69.12, the State Treasurer may combine reports or make cross-reference to those reports. (2009-283, s. 4; 2013-284, s. 1(f); 2016-55, s. 4.2.)
§ 147-69.9. Third-party audit of State Treasurer's investments.
(a) In addition to all other audits and reports required by the law, the State Treasurer shall prepare and issue, at the end of each fiscal year beginning with the 2015-2016 fiscal year, a set of consolidated stand-alone financial statements regarding investments authorized in G.S. 147-69.1 and G.S. 147-69.2. These financial statements shall be audited by a commercial independent third-party audit firm selected and engaged by the State Treasurer. The audit firm's report and the financial statement shall be provided to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the House of Representative Appropriations Committee, the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division within six months after the closing of the reporting period.
(b) The management discussion and analysis section of the report accompanying the financial statements shall include a discussion of the investment programs' risk and returns compared to benchmarks, total management fees and incentives paid, and comparison to peer cost benchmarks. (2016-55, s. 3.)
§ 147-69.10. Investment policies and performance reviews of Retirement Systems investment programs.
(a) On at least a biennial basis, the State Treasurer shall present an investment policy statement to the Investment Advisory Committee for the Committee's consultation. The investment policy statement must include descriptions of investment objectives and strategy, roles and responsibilities, permissible asset classes, asset allocation targets and ranges, risk management and compliance guidelines, and evaluation criteria necessary to measure investment performance.
(b) At least once every four years, the State Treasurer shall engage a commercial independent expert firm, pursuant to G.S. 147-69.3(g), to evaluate the governance, operations, and investment practices of the State Treasurer in order to develop recommendations for improvement. The State Treasurer must consult with the Investment Advisory Committee to develop the scope of the evaluation. The report of the independent expert firm shall be provided to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee, and the Fiscal Research Division within 30 days of receipt. (2016-55, s. 3.)
§ 147-69.11. Ethics policies.
To ensure that the State Treasurer's investment programs operate under a strong governance framework with rigorous internal controls and a high degree of operational transparency and are managed with the highest ethical and professional standards and in the most efficient and effective manner possible, the State Treasurer, after consultation with the Investment Advisory Committee, is authorized and required to adopt policies and procedures on the following topics:
(1) Requiring that the Department of State Treasurer's Investment Management Division adopt a code of ethics.
(2) Requiring all employees of the Department who have responsibility for matters related to investments to be provided with training with respect to the discharge of their duties and responsibilities to the funds.
(3) Governing gifts to employees of the Department who have responsibility for matters related to investments.
(4) Imposing limitations on external investment managers' use of placement agents and other persons that appear before the Department to ensure that these persons play only a proper role in investment opportunities.
(5) As a component of the investment due diligence, negotiations, and contracting process, requiring an independent assessment of whether circumstances exist that create a material risk that professional judgement or actions regarding a potential investment arrangement's recommendation, approval, or execution have been or will be unduly influenced by a direct or indirect personal interest. (2016-55, s. 3.)
§ 147-69.12. Reporting on the State Treasurer's investment programs.
(a) No later than the tenth day of February, May, August, and November of each year, the State Treasurer shall report on all investments for which the State Treasurer is in any way responsible, including investments made from the Escheat Fund and return on investment as provided in G.S. 147-69.2A. This report shall be made for the Escheat Fund in lieu of the report required by G.S. 147-69.8. The State Treasurer's quarterly report shall include each of the following:
(1) A specific listing of all direct and indirect placement fees, asset fees, performance fees, and any other money management fees incurred by the State in the management of the Retirement Systems defined in G.S. 147-69.2(b)(8). In the event that the market value of any of subdivision (6c) or (7), sub-subdivision b. of subdivision (8), or subdivision (9) or (9a) of G.S. 147-69.2 increases during a fiscal year by an amount greater than three percent (3%) of the market value of all invested assets of the Retirement Systems as of the prior fiscal year end, then the quarterly report provided shall describe how that increase complies with the duties described in G.S. 147-69.7 and the consequent expected impact on the risk profile of the Retirement Systems' assets.
(2) A specific listing of all investments made with certified green managers and companies and funds that support sustainable practices, including the names of the companies, managers, and funds, the amount invested, and the State's return on investment.
(3) For bank balances:
a. The State's total bank balance with the State Treasurer, including the amount of cash on hand and money on deposit.
b. For each bank or other qualified depository utilized by the State Treasurer to hold cash balances, (i) the name of each depository and (ii) current quarter-end cash balances.
(4) For the State Treasurer's cash management programs:
a. Total assets.
b. Duration of investments.
c. Rate of return, including a comparison to an appropriate benchmark, if available.
(5) For the Retirement Systems, as defined in G.S. 147-69.2(b)(8), reported separately for each asset class authorized by G.S. 147-69.2(b):
a. Total assets.
b. Rate of return, including a comparison to an appropriate benchmark, if available.
c. Percentage of the total assets that are invested in the asset class and the limitation, if any, on the percentage under G.S. 147-69.2(b).
(6) For each investment program created under G.S. 147-69.3:
a. The financial condition of each investment program.
b. A full and complete statement of all moneys invested by virtue of the provisions of G.S. 147-69.1 and G.S. 147-69.2.
c. The nature and character of the investments.
d. The revenues derived from the investments, net of fees and expenses.
e. The costs of administering, managing, and operating the investment programs, including the recapture of any investment commissions.
f. The location on the State Treasurer's Web site where the public may find a statement of the investment policies for the revenues invested.
g. Any other information that may be helpful in understanding the State Treasurer's investment policies, investment practices, and investment results.
h. Any other information requested by the House of Representatives and Senate Finance Committees.
i. The location on the State Treasurer's Web site where the public may find a list of new commitments to external investment managers.
j. The location on the State Treasurer's Web site where the public may find information on the use of placement agents by investment managers.
(7) For all other investments with or on behalf of the State or any of its agencies or institutions:
a. The particular agency or institution, fund, rate of return, and duration of the investment.
b. The amount of deposit on all noninterest bearing accounts.
(b) No later than the date set by G.S. 147-69.9 for the submission of consolidated stand-alone financial statements, the State Treasurer shall report annually on the fees and performance of all externally and internally managed investments for the Retirement Systems defined in G.S. 147-69.2(b)(8). Externally managed investments shall be reported on the basis of each investment vehicle or investment manager, as applicable. Internally managed investments shall be reported on a portfolio-by-portfolio basis. The State Treasurer's annual report shall include all of the following, as applicable, reported separately for each investment:
(1) The name, commitment amount, statutory classification, and inception year.
(2) Either a statement that the investment is managed internally by the staff of the State Treasurer or the names of the external investment manager and the investment vehicle for that investment.
(3) Value of the investment.
(4) Dollar amount of the management fees and incentive fees.
(5) For investment-grade fixed income or public equity investments, the periodic net annualized time-weighted rate of return for that fiscal year and since inception, reported net of fees.
(6) For all investments other than investment-grade fixed income or public equity investments, all of the following:
a. The net annualized internal rate of return and investment multiple since inception, reported net of fees.
b. The total cash contributions or other investments made by the State Treasurer.
c. The total distribution received by the State Treasurer with respect to that investment since inception, reported net of fees.
(7) For any fund of funds investment vehicles, the aggregate management fees and incentive fees for the underlying investment managers or investment vehicles used by the external investment manager.
(8) If any placement agent fees relating to the investment were directly or indirectly borne by the State Treasurer or Retirement Systems, a list of the amount and type of those fees.
(c) The Treasurer shall report to the Governor annually the exact balance in the treasury to the credit of the State, with a summary of the receipts and payments of the treasury during the preceding fiscal year, and so far as practicable an account of the same down to the termination of the current calendar year.
(d) The reports required by this section shall be delivered to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, chairs of the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees, chairs of the House of Representative and Senate Finance Committees, Fiscal Research Division, Governor, Council of State, and State Auditor. The reports shall also be made available for public review, including by posting on the State Treasurer's Web site.
A copy of a report on any State Treasurer investment program shall be sent to the official, institution, board, commission, or other agency investing in that program.
(e) Repealed by Session Laws 2017-125, s. 8, effective July 20, 2017. (2016-55, s. 4.1(a), (b); 2017-102, s. 28.1(b); 2017-125, s. 8; 2021-180, s. 37.12(c); 2023-134, s. 27.10(h).)
§ 147-70. To make short-term notes in emergencies.
Subject to the approval of the Governor and Council of State, the State Treasurer is authorized to make short-term notes for temporary emergencies, but such notes must only be made to provide for appropriations already made by the General Assembly. (1915, c. 168, s. 3; C.S., s. 7685.)
§ 147-71. May demand and sue for money and property of State.
The Treasurer is authorized to demand, sue for, collect and receive all money and property of the State not held by some person under authority of law. (1866, c. 46; Code, s. 3359; Rev., s. 5375; C.S., s. 7688.)
§ 147-72. Ex officio treasurer of State institutions; duties as such.
The Treasurer shall be ex officio the treasurer of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, of the North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering, of the North Carolina School for the Deaf and Dumb at Morganton, of the North Carolina Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind at Raleigh, for the State hospitals (for the insane) at Raleigh, Morganton and Goldsboro and for the State's prison. He may appoint deputies to act for him at Morganton and Goldsboro, and may pay such deputies reasonable compensation. He shall keep all accounts of the institutions, and shall pay out all moneys, upon the warrant of the respective chief officers or superintendents, countersigned by two members of the board of directors, managers, or trustees. He shall report to the respective boards at such times as they may call on him, showing the amount received on account of the institution, amount paid out, and amount on hand. He shall perform his duties as treasurer of these several institutions under such regulation as shall be prescribed in each case by their respective boards of managers, trustees or directors, with the approval of the Governor; and shall be responsible on his official bond for the faithful discharge of his duties as treasurer of each of the several institutions. As treasurer of such institutions he shall, annually, after the examination, verification, and cancellation of his vouchers, deposit the same with the respective institutions, and the superintendents thereof shall be responsible for their safekeeping. (1879, c. 240, s. 2; 1881, c. 128; c. 211, s. 9; 1883, c. 156, s. 12; c. 405; Code, ss. 2235, 2251, 3723; 1895, c. 434; 1899, c. 1, s. 11; Rev., s. 5376; 1919, c. 314, s. 6; C.S., s. 7689; 1947, c. 781; 1997-261, s. 109.)
§ 147-73. Office of treasurer of each State institution abolished.
The office of treasurer of each of the several State institutions of which the State Treasurer is ex officio treasurer is hereby abolished. (1929, c. 337, s. 3.)
§ 147-74. Office of State Treasurer declared office of deposit and disbursement.
The office of the State Treasurer is declared to be an office of deposit and disbursement and only such records and accounts as may be necessary to disclose the accountability of the State Treasurer shall be kept. The purpose of this section is to prevent duplication in account and record keeping and such accounts as may be necessary shall be prescribed by the Director of the Budget under the terms of the Executive Budget Act. (1929, c. 337, s. 2.)
§ 147-75. Deputy to act for Treasurer.
The Treasurer may authorize a deputy to perform any duties pertaining to the office. The Treasurer may authorize a deputy to affix the Treasurer's signature to any check, warrant or any other instrument the Treasurer is required to sign. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the conduct of his or her deputies. (1868-9, c. 270, s. 76; Code, s. 3358; Rev., s. 5377; C.S., s. 7690; 1977, c. 401, s. 2; 2016-55, s. 1.5.)
§ 147-75.1. Criminal record checks for the Department of State Treasurer.
(a) The Department of State Treasurer may obtain from the State and National Repositories of Criminal Histories or from any other lawful source the criminal history of any of the following individuals:
(1) A current or prospective permanent or temporary employee of the Department of State Treasurer.
(2) A contractor with the Department of State Treasurer.
(3) An employee or agent of a contractor with the Department of State Treasurer who is performing or will perform work for the Department of State Treasurer.
(4) A volunteer of the Department of State Treasurer.
(5) Any other individual otherwise engaged by the Department of State Treasurer who will have access to health or financial information or data maintained by the Department of State Treasurer that is confidential or otherwise nonpublic.
(b) The Department of State Treasurer may deny employment to or dismiss any individual identified under subdivisions (1), (2), (4), and (5) of subsection (a) of this section who refuses to consent to a criminal history record check or to the use of fingerprints or other identifying information required by the State or National Repositories of Criminal Histories. Any refusal shall constitute just cause for the employment denial or the dismissal from employment.
(c) The Department of State Treasurer may extend a conditional offer of employment pending the results of a criminal history record check authorized by this section. (2020-29, s. 9.)
§ 147-76. Bookkeeping.
(a) The cost of administration, management, and operations of the Department of State Treasurer shall be accounted for in a manner determined by the State Treasurer.
(b) If the State Treasurer shall wittingly or falsely make, or cause to be made, any false entry or charge in any book by him as State Treasurer, or shall wittingly or falsely form, or procure to be formed, any statement of the treasury, to be by him laid before the Governor, the General Assembly, or any committee thereof, or to be by him used in any settlement which he is required to make with intent, in any of said instances, to defraud the State or any person, such State Treasurer shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (R.C., c. 34, s. 68; Code, s. 1119; Rev., s. 3606; C.S., s. 7691; 1983, c. 913, s. 53; 1993, c. 539, s. 1055; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2023-93, s. 3.)
§ 147-76.1. Require deposit into the State treasury of funds received by the State.
(a) Definition. - For purposes of this section, the term "cash gift or donation" means any funds provided, without valuable consideration, to the State, for use by the State, or for the benefit of the State.
(b) Requirement. - Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, all funds received by the State, including cash gifts and donations, shall be deposited into the State treasury. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as exempting from the requirement set forth in this subsection funds received by a State officer or employee acting on behalf of the State.
(c) Terms Binding. - Except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of this section, the terms of an instrument evidencing a cash gift or donation are a binding obligation of the State. Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede, or authorize a deviation from the terms of an instrument evidencing a gift or donation setting forth the purpose for which the funds may be used. (2019-250, s. 5.7(a).)
§ 147-77. Daily deposit of funds to credit of Treasurer.
All funds belonging to the State of North Carolina, in the hands of any head of any department of the State which collects revenue for the State in any form whatsoever, and every institution, agency, officer, employee, or representative of the State or any agency, department, division or commission thereof, except officers and the clerks of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, collecting or receiving any funds or money belonging to the State of North Carolina, shall daily deposit the same in some bank, or trust company, selected or designated by the State Treasurer, in the name of the State Treasurer, at noon, or as near thereto as may be, and shall report the same daily to the Treasurer. The State Treasurer may authorize exemptions from the provisions of this section so long as funds are deposited and reported pursuant to the provisions of this section at least once a week and, in addition, so long as funds are deposited and reported pursuant to the provisions of this section whenever as much as five thousand dollars ($5,000) has been collected and received. Each State agency that has custody of funds less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall provide adequate safekeeping of such funds. The Treasurer may refund the amount of any bad checks which have been returned to the department by the Treasurer when the same have not been collected after 30 days' trial. (1925, c. 128, s. 1; 1945, c. 159; 1969, c. 44, s. 77; 1985, c. 708; 2015-164, s. 3(b).)
§ 147-78. Treasurer to select depositories.
The State Treasurer is hereby authorized and empowered to select and designate, wherever necessary, in this State some bank or banks, savings and loan association or associations, or trust company as an official depository of the State. (1925, c. 128, s. 2; 1979, c. 637, s. 4; 1983, c. 158, s. 5.)
§ 147-78.1. Good faith deposits; use of master trust.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Treasurer is authorized to select a bank or trust company as master trustee to hold cash or securities to be pledged to the State when deposited with the State Treasurer pursuant to statute or at the request of another State agency. Securities may be held by the master trustee in any form that, in fact, perfects the security interest of the State in the securities. The State Treasurer shall contractually establish the manner in which the master trust shall operate. The master trustee may charge reasonable fees for services rendered to each person who deposits the cash or securities with the State. (1985, c. 496, s. 1; 2016-55, s. 1.6.)
§ 147-79. Deposits to be secured; reports of depositories.
(a) The amount of funds deposited by the State Treasurer in an official depository shall be adequately secured by deposit insurance, surety bonds, letters of credit issued by a Federal Home Loan Bank, or investment securities of such nature, in such amounts, and in such manner, as may be prescribed by rule or regulation of the State Treasurer with the approval of the Governor and Council of State. No security is required for the protection of funds remitted to and received by a bank or trust company designated by the State Treasurer under G.S. 142-1 and acting as paying agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on bonds or notes of the State.
(b) Each official depository having deposits required to be secured by subsection (a) of this section may be required to report to the State Treasurer on January 1 and July 1 of each year (or such other dates as he may prescribe) a list of all surety bonds or investment securities securing such deposits. If the State Treasurer finds at any time that any funds of the State are not properly secured, he shall so notify the depository. Upon such notification, the depository shall comply with the applicable law or regulations forthwith.
(c) Violation of the provisions of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1933, c. 461, ss. 1, 11/2; 1979, c. 637, s. 3; 1993, c. 539, s. 1056; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 2016-108, s. 4.)
§ 147-80. Deposit in other banks unlawful; liability.
It shall be unlawful for any funds of the State to be deposited by any person, institution, or department or agency in any place or bank or trust company, other than those so selected and designated as official depositories of the State of North Carolina by the State Treasurer, and any person so offending or aiding and abetting in such offense shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor and any person so offending or aiding and abetting in such offense shall also immediately become civilly liable to the State of North Carolina in the amount of the money or funds unlawfully deposited, and, at the instance of the State Treasurer, or at the instance of the Governor, the Attorney General shall forthwith institute the civil action in the name of the State of North Carolina against such person or persons, either in the courts of Wake County, according to their respective jurisdiction, or in the county in which said unlawful deposit has been made, according to the selection made by the officer requesting the institution of such action, for the purpose of recovering the amount of the money so unlawfully deposited, with interest thereon at six percent (6%) per annum, and for the cost of said action, and the court in which said action is tried may also tax, as a part of the cost in said action, to the use of the State of North Carolina, a sum sufficient to reimburse the State of North Carolina for all expense incidental to or connected with the preparation and prosecution of such action. (1925, c. 128, s. 3; 1993, c. 539, s. 1057; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
§ 147-81. Number of depositories; contract.
The State Treasurer is authorized and empowered to select as many depositories in one place and in the State as may appear to him to be necessary and convenient for the various officers, representatives and employees of the State, to comply with the purposes of G.S. 147-77, 147-78, 147-80, 147-81, 147-82, 147-83 and 147-84, and may make such contracts with said depositories for the payment of interest on average daily or monthly balances as may appear advantageous to the State in the opinion of such Treasurer and the Governor. (1925, c. 128, s. 4.)
§ 147-82. Accounts of funds kept separate.
In order to preserve and keep them separate, all funds that are now required by law to be kept separate or to be separately administered, both by State departments, institutions, commissions, and other agencies or divisions of the State which collect or receive funds belonging to the State, or funds handled or maintained as trust funds in any form by such department, division or institution shall be evidenced in daily reports by distribution sheets, which shall reflect and show an exact copy of the accounts, showing the distribution of said money kept by such collecting departments, institutions and agencies, and the same shall be entered in the records of the office of the State Treasurer, so as to keep and maintain in the office where the same is first collected or received the same account thereof, and of the distribution thereof, the same records and accounts as are kept in the office of the State Treasurer relating thereto. (1925, c. 128, s. 5.)
§ 147-83. Receipts from federal government not affected.
General Statutes 147-77, 147-78, 147-80, 147-81, 147-82, 147-83 and 147-84 shall not be held or construed to affect or interfere with the receipts and disbursements of any funds received by any institution or department of this State from the federal government when in the act of Congress, relating to such funds received from the federal government, a contrary disposition or handling is prescribed or required, and the said sections shall not apply to any moneys paid to any department, institution or agency, or undertaking of the State of North Carolina, as a part of any legislative appropriation, or allotment from any contingent fund, as provided by law, after the same has been paid out of the State treasury. (1925, c. 128, s. 6; 2019-250, s. 5.7(b).)
§ 147-84. Refund of excess payments.
Whenever taxes or other receipts of any kind are or have been by clerical error, misinterpretation of the law, or otherwise, collected and paid into the State treasury in excess of the amount found legally due the State, said excess amount shall be refunded to the person entitled thereto. (1925, c. 128, s. 7; 1983, c. 913, s. 54.)
The fiscal year of the State government shall annually close on the thirtieth day of June. (1868-9, c. 270, s. 77; 1883, c. 60; Code, s. 3360; 1885, c. 334; 1905, c. 430; Rev., s. 5378; C.S., s. 7692; 1921, c. 229; Ex. Sess. 1921, c. 7; 1925, c. 89, s. 21; 1983, c. 913, s. 55.)
§ 147-86. Additional clerical assistance authorized; compensation and duties.
The State Treasurer, by and with the consent and advice of the Governor and Council of State, is authorized to employ an additional clerk in the Treasury Department, whose compensation and duties shall be fixed by the State Treasurer, by and with the consent and advice of the Governor and Council of State. The compensation of such additional clerk as may be employed pursuant to this section shall be paid as other officers and clerks are paid. (1923, c. 172; C.S., s. 7693 (a).)
§ 147-86.1. Pool account for local government unemployment compensation.
(a) The State Treasurer is authorized to establish a pool account, in accordance with rules of the Division of Employment Security (DES), in cooperation with any one or more units of local government, for the purpose of reimbursing the DES for unemployment benefits paid by the DES and chargeable to each local unit of government participating in the pool account. In the pool account established pursuant to this section, the funds contributed by a unit of local government shall remain the funds of the particular unit, and interest or other investment income earned by the pool account shall be prorated and credited to the various contributing local units on the basis of the amounts thereof contributed, figured according to an average periodic balance or some other sound accounting principle.
(b) The State Treasurer shall pay to the Division of Employment Security, within 25 days from receipt of a list thereof, all unemployment benefits charged by the DES to each unit of local government participating in the pool account from the funds in the pool account belonging to each such unit, to the extent that said funds are sufficient to do so.
(c) Notwithstanding the participation by a unit of local government in the pool account authorized by this section, such unit shall remain liable to the Division of Employment Security for any benefits duly charged by the Division to the unit which are not paid by the State Treasurer from funds in the pool account belonging to the unit. Notwithstanding its participation in the pool account, each unit of local government shall continue to maintain an individual account with the DES.
(d) The Director of the Budget shall be authorized to transfer from the interest earned on the pool account, to the State Treasurer's departmental budget, such funds as may be necessary to defray the Treasurer's cost of administering the pool account. (1977, c. 1124; 1983, c. 717, s. 89; 2011-401, s. 3.23.)
§ 147-86.2. Information Technology fees; dispute resolution panel.
The State Treasurer or the State Treasurer's designee, in conjunction with the State Controller and the State Budget Officer or their designees, shall handle the resolution of fee disputes between the Department of Information Technology and the State agencies receiving information technology services from the Department. (2009-136, s. 3; 2015-241, s. 7A.3.)
§ 147-86.3. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 147-86.4. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 147-86.5. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 147-86.6. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 147-86.7. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 147-86.8. Reserved for future codification purposes.
§ 147-86.9. Reserved for future codification purposes.