Virginia Law

Local Government Investment Pool Act

This chapter may be cited as the "Local Government Investment Pool Act."

1980, c. 538, §§ 2.1-234.1, 2.1-234.3; 1996, c. 77; 2001, c. 844.

A. The General Assembly finds that the public interest is served by maximum and prudent investment of public funds so that the need for taxes and other public revenues is decreased commensurately with the earnings on such investments. In selecting among avenues of investment, the highest rate of return, consistent with safety and liquidity, shall be the objective.

B. The purpose of this chapter is to secure the maximum public benefit from the investment of public funds, and, in furtherance of such purposes to:

1. Establish and maintain a continuing statewide policy for the deposit and investment of public funds;

2. Establish a state-administered pool for the investment of local government funds; and

3. Authorize treasurers or any other person collecting, disbursing, or otherwise handling public funds to invest such public funds either in accordance with Chapter 45 (§ 2.2-4500 et seq.) of this title or through the local government investment pool created by the chapter.

C. The General Assembly finds that the objectives of this chapter will best be obtained through improved money management, emphasizing the primary requirements of safety and liquidity and recognizing the different investment objectives of operating and permanent funds.

1980, c. 538, § 2.1-234.2; 2001, c. 844.

A. A local government investment pool is created, consisting of the aggregate of all funds from local officials handling public funds that are placed in the custody of the State Treasurer for investment and reinvestment as provided in this chapter.

B. The Treasury Board or its designee shall administer the local government investment pool on behalf of the participating local officials subject to regulations and guidelines adopted by the Treasury Board.

C. The Treasury Board or its designee shall invest moneys in the local government investment pool with the degree of judgment and care, under circumstances then prevailing, which persons 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. Specifically, the types of authorized investments for local government investment pool assets shall be limited to those set forth for local officials in Chapter 45 (§ 2.2-4500 et seq.) of this title.

D. A separate account for each participant in the fund shall be kept to record individual transactions and totals of all investments belonging to each participant. A monthly report showing the changes in investments made during the preceding month shall be furnished to each participant having a beneficial interest in the local government investment pool. Details of any investment transaction shall be furnished to any participant upon request.

E. The Treasury Board or its designee shall administer and handle the accounts in the same manner as bond and sinking fund trust accounts.

F. The principal and accrued income, and any part thereof, of each and every account maintained for a participant in the local government investment pool shall be subject to payment at any time from the local government investment pool upon request, subject to applicable regulations and guidelines. Accumulated income shall be remitted or credited to each participant at least quarterly.

G. Except as provided in this section, all instruments of title of all investments of the local government investment pool shall remain in the custody of the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer may deposit with one or more fiscal agents or banks, those instruments of title he considers advisable, to be held in safekeeping by the agents or banks for collection of the principal and interest or other income, or of the proceeds of sale. The State Treasurer shall collect the principal and interest or other income from investments of the investment pool, the instruments of title to which are in his custody, when due and payable.

1980, c. 538, § 2.1-234.8; 1984, c. 320; 1988, c. 834; 2001, c. 844.

Subject to the procedures set forth in this chapter, any local official handling public funds may invest and reinvest any money subject to his control and jurisdiction in the local government investment pool established by § 2.2-4602.

1980, c. 538, § 2.1-234.4; 1988, c. 834; 2001, c. 844.

Local officials handling public funds may effect temporary transfers among separate funds for the purpose of pooling amounts available for investment. This pooling may be accomplished through interfund advances and other appropriate means consistent with recognized principles of governmental accounting provided that (i) moneys are available for the investment period required; (ii) the investment fund can repay the advance by the time needed; (iii) the transactions are fully and promptly recorded; and (iv) the interest earned is credited to the loaning or advancing jurisdiction.

1980, c. 538, § 2.1-234.6; 1981, c. 583; 2001, c. 844.

A. The Treasury Board shall have power to:

1. Make and adopt regulations necessary and proper for the efficient administration of the local government investment pool hereinafter created, including but not limited to:

a. Specification of minimum amounts that may be deposited in the local government investment pool and minimum periods of time for which deposits shall be retained in such pool;

b. Creation of a reserve for losses;

c. Payment of administrative expenses from the earnings of such pool;

d. Distribution of the earnings in excess of such expenses, or allocation of losses, to the several participants in a manner that equitably reflects the differing amounts of their respective investments and the differing periods of time for which such amounts were in the custody of the pool; and

e. Procedures for the deposit and withdrawal of funds.

2. Develop guidelines for the protection of the local government investment pool in the event of default in the payment of principal or interest or other income of any investment of such pool, such guidelines to include the following procedures:

a. Instituting the proper proceedings to collect the matured principal or interest or other income;

b. Accepting for exchange purposes refunding bonds or other evidences of indebtedness at appropriate interest rates;

c. Making compromises, adjustments, or disposition of matured principal or interest or other income as considered advisable for the purpose of protecting the moneys invested;

d. Making compromises or adjustments as to future payments of principal or interest or other income considered advisable for the purpose of protecting the moneys invested.

3. Formulate policies for the investment and reinvestment of funds in the local government investment pool and the acquisition, retention, management, and disposition of investments of the investment pool.

B. The Treasury Board may delegate the administrative aspects of operating under this chapter to the State Treasurer, subject to the regulations and guidelines adopted by the Treasury Board.

C. Such regulations and guidelines may be adopted without complying with the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) provided that input is solicited from local officials handling public funds. Such input requires only that notice and an opportunity to submit written comments be given.

1980, c. 538, § 2.1-234.7; 2001, c. 844.

Insofar as the provisions of this chapter are inconsistent with the provisions of any other law, the provisions of this chapter shall be controlling and the powers conferred by this chapter shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law.

1980, c. 538, § 2.1-234.9; 2001, c. 844.