38-714. Powers and duties of ASRS and board

A. ASRS shall have the powers and privileges of a corporation, shall have an official seal and shall transact all business in the name " Arizona state retirement system" , and in that name may sue and be sued.

B. The board is responsible for supervising the administration of this article by the director of ASRS.

C. The board is responsible for the performance of fiduciary duties and other responsibilities required to preserve and protect the retirement trust fund established by section 38-712.

D. The board shall not advocate for or against legislation providing for benefit modifications, except that the board shall provide technical and administrative information regarding the impact of benefit modification legislation.

E. The board may:

1. Determine the rights, benefits or obligations of any person under this article and any member under articles 2.1 and 7 of this chapter and afford any person dissatisfied with a determination a hearing on the determination. The board may delegate the duty and authority to act on the board's behalf to a committee of the board for the purposes of this paragraph and title 41, chapter 6, article 10 relating to any decision made under this paragraph by that committee of the board.

2. Determine the amount, manner and time of payment of any benefits under this article.

3. Recommend amendments to this article and articles 2.1 and 7 of this chapter that are required for efficient and effective administration.

4. Adopt, amend or repeal rules for the administration of the plan, this article and articles 2.1 and 7 of this chapter.

F. Beginning June 30, 2016, the board shall determine which of the generally accepted actuarial cost methods shall be used in the annual actuarial valuation of the plan.

G. The board and ASRS are not subject to title 41, chapter 6, except title 41, chapter 6, article 10, for actuarial assumptions and calculations, investment strategy and decisions and accounting methodology.

H. The board shall submit to the governor and legislature for each fiscal year no later than eight months after the close of the fiscal year a report of its operations and the operations of ASRS. The report shall follow generally accepted accounting principles and generally accepted financial reporting standards and shall include:

1. A report on an actuarial valuation of ASRS assets and liabilities.

2. Any other statistical and financial data that may be necessary for the proper understanding of the financial condition of ASRS and the results of board operations.

3. On request of the governor or the legislature, a list of investments owned. This list shall be provided in an electronic format.

4. An estimate of the aggregate fees paid for private equity investments, including management fees and performance fees.

I. The board shall:

1. Prepare and publish a synopsis of the annual report for the information of ASRS members.

2. Contract for a study of the mortality, disability, service and other experiences of the members and employers participating in ASRS. The study shall be conducted for fiscal year 1990-1991 and for at least every fifth fiscal year thereafter. A report of the study shall be completed within eight months after the close of the applicable fiscal year and shall be submitted to the governor and the legislature.

3. Conduct an annual actuarial valuation of ASRS assets and liabilities.

J. The auditor general may make an annual audit of ASRS and transmit the results to the governor and the legislature.