(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d), this section shall apply to the following positions in the system: a chief executive officer, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a system actuary, a general counsel, a chief investment officer, and other investment officers and portfolio managers whose positions are designated managerial pursuant to Section 18801.1 of the Government Code.

(b) Notwithstanding Sections 19825, 19826, 19829, and 19832 of the Government Code, the board shall fix the compensation for the positions specified in subdivision (a). In so doing, the board shall be guided by the principles contained in Sections 19826 and 19829 of the Government Code, consistent with its fiduciary responsibility to its members to recruit and retain highly qualified and effective employees for these positions. The annual percentage increase in salary that may be paid pursuant to this section to a person who served as chief financial officer or as chief operating officer on January 1, 2016, and who does not separate from service in that position prior to the date on which the increase is applied, shall not exceed either of the following:

(1) Ten percent for the 2017–18 fiscal year.

(2) Five percent for any fiscal year subsequent to 2017–18.

(c) When a position specified in subdivision (a) is filled through a general civil service appointment, it shall be filled from an eligible list based on an examination that was held on an open basis, and tenure in those positions shall be subject to the provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 19590) of Chapter 7 of Part 2 of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code. In addition to the causes for action specified in that article, the board may take action under the article for causes related to its fiduciary responsibility to its members, including the employee’s failure to meet specified performance objectives.

(d) An individual who held a position designated in subdivision (a), was a member of the board, or was in a career executive assignment position that reported directly to either the chief executive officer or the chief operating officer, shall not, for a period of two years after leaving that position, for compensation, act as agent or attorney for, or otherwise represent, any other person, except the state, by making any formal or informal appearance before or by making any oral or written communication to the board, or any officer or employee thereof, if the appearance or communication is made for the purpose of influencing administrative or legislative action or any action or proceeding involving the issuance, amendment, awarding, or revocation of a permit, license, grant, contract, or sale or purchase of goods or property.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 553, Sec. 1. (AB 736) Effective January 1, 2017.)