Title 200 | Chapter 014 | Regulation 011REG


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FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION CABINET
State Investment Commission
(Amendment)

200 KAR 14:011.Qualified investments.

Section 1.

Definitions.

(1)

"Commission" means the State Investment Commission.

(2)

"Hedge" means a position in a financial instrument taken to minimize or eliminate the risk associated with an existing instrument or portfolio of instruments.

(3)

"Interest rate swaps" means an agreement governed by an International Swap and Derivatives Association master contract between two (2) parties to exchange, or have the conditional right to exchange, specified cash flows.

(4)

"NRSRO" means "Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization", which is a credit rating agency that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and which provides its opinion on the creditworthiness of an entity and the financial obligations issued by that entity.

(5)

"Office" means the Office of Financial Management.

(6)

"Options" means a contract that provides the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specific amount of a security within a predetermined time period and includes specific bonds or notes, an exchange traded futures contract, or the cash value of an index.

(7)

"Pools" means the investment pools that are managed by the Office of Financial Management, under the guidance of the commission.

Section 2.

The commission shall:

(1)

Not invest state funds in an institution or instrument that it deems unsafe and a threat to the security of state funds;

(2)

Maintain adequate liquidity to meet the cash needs of the state; and

(3)

Within the limits established by this administrative regulation, invest in securities that maximize yield or return to the Commonwealth.

Section 3.

 

(1)

The commission may:

(a)

Engage in securities lending.

(b)

Allow internalinter-pool transfers between pools to meet short term cash needs.

(2)

Within the limited term pool, if borrowing exceeds thirty-three (33) percent of the value of the pool's total assets resulting from a change in values of net pool assets at any time, the pool shall then reduce borrowing to no more than thirty-three (33) percent within three (3) business days and shall continue to use prudence in bringing the percentage of borrowing back into conformity.

Section 4.

Interest earned on the cash balances shall be calculated daily on an accrual basis.

Section 5.

Investment Criteria.

(1)

The criteria to determine the amount of funds per investment instrument shall be the:

(a)

Safety of principal and interestLiquidity needs of the state in aggregate as budgeted;

(b)

Liquidity needs of the state in aggregate as budgetedRates available per instrument; and

(c)

Rates available per instrumentSafety of principal and interest.

(2)

An investment instrument shall qualify if it is specified by:

(a)

KRS 42.500;

(b)

This administrative regulation;

(c)

200 KAR 14:081; or

(d)

200 KAR 14:091.

Section 6.

Investment Securities. The commission shall invest only in the following security types:

(1)

Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury, agency, and government-sponsored enterprisesgovernment sponsored entity agency securities with a maturity of less than seven (7) years, or an embedded put of less than three (3) years.

(2)

Mortgage pass-through securities issued by U.S. government agencies or by government-sponsored enterprisesgovernment sponsored entities, including Government National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Small Business Administration with an average life of less than four (4) years at the time of purchase, using Bloomberg consensus prepayment projections, if available, or other reasonable prepayment assumptions if there is no consensus. The commission may hold pass-throughs purchased under this subsection thatwhich have an average life of less than six (6) years, using Bloomberg consensus prepayment projections, if available, or other reasonable prepayment assumptions if there is no consensus.

(3)

Real estate mortgage investment conduit obligations, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 1-9834, also known as collateralized mortgage obligations, or CMOs, rated in the highest category by commission approvedan NRSRO with an average life of less than four (4) years at the time of purchase, using Bloomberg consensus prepayment projections, if available, or other reasonable prepayment assumptions if there is no consensus. The commission may hold CMOs purchased under this subsection thatwhich have an average life of less than six (6) years, using Bloomberg consensus prepayment projections, if available, or other reasonable prepayment assumptions if there is no consensus.

(4)

Asset-backed securities (ABS) rated in the highest category by commission approvedan NRSRO with an average life of four (4) years or less.

(5)

U.S. dollar denominated corporate and Yankee securities issued by foreign and domestic issuers, rated in one (1) of the three (3) highest categories by commission approvedan NRSRO, with a maturity not longer than five (5) years, or an embedded put of less than three (3) years.

(6)

U.S. dollar denominated sovereign debt rated in one (1) of the three (3) highest categories by commission approvedan NRSRO, with a maturity not to exceed five (5) years.

(7)

Money market securities including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and bankers' acceptances issued by banks with the highest short-term rating by a Commission approved NRSRO. Maturities shall be limited to one 180 days for Bankers' Acceptances and 270 days for all other money market securities.

(7)

 

(a)

Money market securities, including:

1.

Commercial paper;

2.

Certificates of deposit; and

3.

Bankers' acceptances issued by banks having the highest short-term rating by an NRSRO.

(b)

Maturities shall be limited to 180 days for bankers' acceptances and 270 days for all other money market securities.

(8)

Repurchase agreements collateralized at a minimum of 102 percent (marked to market daily) with treasuries, agencies, and agency mortgage backed obligations with a maximum maturity of one (1) year and a maximum of three (3) years for the Kentucky Bank Repurchase Program participants.

(9)

Municipal obligations rated in one (1) of the three (3) highest categories by commission approvedan NRSRO, with a maturity not to exceed five (5) years. The maturity and credit restriction shall be waived for obligations issued by the Commonwealth of Kentucky or any entity within the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

(10)

Mutual funds in which the underlying holdings of the fund are in securities that meet the investment criteria listed in Section 5 of this administrative regulationjin which the pools could invest directly.

(11)

In meeting credit standards listed previously in this section, the lowest rating issued by commission approvedan NRSRO shall be used to determine compliance. The commission, at a minimum on an annual basis, shall determine which NRSRO's shall be used.

Section 7.

Limits Per Pool on Investment Securities.

(1)

U.S. agency mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of total pool assets in aggregate.

(2)

Asset-backed securities shall not exceed twenty (20) percent of total pool assets.

(3)

U.S. dollar denominated corporate and Yankee and sovereign securities issued by foreign and domestic issuers shall not exceed thirty-five (35) percent of pool assetsan individual pool or $25,000,000 per issuer within an individual pool, inclusive of commercial paper, bankers' acceptances,commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, and certificates of deposit unless these securities are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.:

(a)

These securities are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States government; or

(b)

These securities were purchased between February 19, 2009 and March 31, 2009.

(4)

Municipal securities shall not exceed $25,000,000 per issuer.

(5)

U.S. dollar denominated sovereign debt shall not exceed five (5) percent of pool assetsany individual portfolio And $25,000,000 per issuer.

(6)

The investment amount for a single mutual fund shall not exceed ten (10) percent of pool assets with an exception of twenty-five (25) percent for the short-term pooltotal pool assets.

(7)

The credit and diversification requirements documented in this administrative regulation shall apply at the time of purchase based on book value for the Limited Term Pool and market value for other pools.

(8)

The limits set forth in this section may be waived by unanimous vote of the commission if a situation arises which could damage the state's credit.

Section 8.

Risk Management. The pools may utilize interest rate swaps, over-the-counter and exchange traded U.S. Treasury contracts and options to manage the portfolio's exposure to interest rate risk. These instruments shall only be used if the results are demonstratively superior to cash market transactions.

Section 9.

Pools and Operating Procedures.

(1)

Limited term pool.

(a)

The limited-term pool shall not purchase a security with a final maturity exceeding 365 days.

(b)

The weighted average maturity, adjusted for interest rate resets and demand features, shall not exceed sixty (60) days; and the weighted average life, adjusted for demand features only but not interest rate resets, shall not exceed 120 days.

(c)

At a minimum:

1.

Ten (10) percent of the pool shall be invested in cash, direct obligations of the U.S. government or securities that mature or are subject to a demand feature payable within one (1) business day; and

2.

Thirty (30) percent of the pool shall be invested in cash, direct obligations of the U.S. government, government agency discount note maturing in sixty (60) days or less or securities that mature or are subject to a demand feature payable within five (5) business days.

(d)

All securities purchased for the pool shall be rated by commission approvedan NRSRO.

(e)

No more than five (5) percent of the pool shall be invested in illiquid securities.

(f)

No more than three (3) percent of the pool shall be invested in second tier securities and no more than five-one hundredths (.05) percent of the pool shall be invested in a second tier security issuer.

(e)(g)

The net asset value of pool shares shall be computed using the amortized cost method of valuing the pool's investments.

(f)(h)

The shadow net asset value using the market value of pool holdings shall be computed no less than monthly and made public within sixty (60) days of the calculation date.

(g)(i)

Stress testing of the pool based on redemption and changes in market value shall be performed no less than quarterly and reported to the commission.

(h)(j)

Monthly portfolio listings shall be published to a public Web site and shall remain available for no less than six (6) months.

(2)

Operating procedures.

(a)

Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection, state funds held in agency or university accounts, the interest of which accrues to the agency or university, shall be placed in the intermediate pool.

(b)

These funds may be placed in the limited-term pool, if the commission determines that the liquidity needs of an agency require shorter term investment.

(c)

The duration of the intermediate pool shall not exceed three (3) years.

Section 10.

Approved Broker-Dealers.

(1)

A broker-dealer who was approved by the commission prior to the effective date of this administrative regulation shall be considered an approved broker-dealer.

(2)

Except as provided by subsection (1) of this section, a broker-dealer shall be approved by the commission if the broker-dealer has met the requirements established by subsection (3), (4), or (5) of this section, as applicable.

(3)

An approved broker-dealer shall be a broker dealer who meets one (1) of the following qualifications:

(a)

Is a primary dealer of the Federal Reserve;

(b)

Maintains an office in Kentucky, and has either $50,000,000$25,000,000 in excess net capital or has trades that are guaranteed by a primary dealer of the Federal Reserve;

(c)

Has a minimum of $130,000,000$100,000,000 in excess net capital; or

(d)

Is an alternative trading system as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(4)

An approved broker-dealer for hedge vehicles shall:

(a)

Have at least $130,000,000$100,000,000 in excess net capital;

(b)

Have market value transactions limited to his excess net capital; and

(c)

Have executed the:

1.

International Swap and Derivatives Association Agreement prior to the implementation of a swap; and

2.

Commonwealth of Kentucky Master Agreement, Over-the-counter Option Transactions - U.S. Treasury Securities, prior to the implementation of an over the counter option transaction.

(5)

 

(a)

Within 180 days of the end of each broker-dealer's fiscal year, a broker-dealer shall submit a copy of the broker-dealer's audited financial statements for that fiscal year.

(6)(b)

A broker-dealer who wishes to be approved by the commission as an approved broker-dealer shall submit a copy of the broker-dealer's current audited financial statements.

(7)(6)

Notwithstanding the broker-dealer requirements described in this section, the state may purchase securities directly from the issuer.

Section 11.

Incorporation by Reference.

(1)

The following material is incorporated by reference:

(a)

"Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Master Repurchase Agreement", 12/08;

(b)

"Custodial Undertaking in Connection with Master Repurchase Agreement, Bank of New York", 12/08;

(c)

"Custodial Undertaking in Connection with Master Repurchase Agreement, Chase Manhattan", 12/08;

(d)

"International Swap and Derivatives Association Agreement", 12/02; and

(e)

"Commonwealth of Kentucky Master Agreement, Over-the-counter Option Transactions - U.S. Treasury Securities", 12/97.

(2)

This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at State Investment Commission, 200 Mero Street, 5th FloorSuite 76, Capitol Annex, Frankfort, Kentucky 4062240601Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and online at the Office of Financial Management's Web site at https://finance.ky.gov/office-of-the-controller/office-of-financial-management/Pages/default.aspx.

KIM BECHTEL, Deputy Executive Director
APPROVED BY AGENCY: August 14, 2024
FILED WITH LRC: August 15, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.
PUBLIC HEARING AND COMMENT PERIOD: A public hearing on this administrative regulation shall be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time, at the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, Room C117, 200 Mero Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40622. Individuals interested in being heard at this hearing shall notify this agency in writing five workdays prior to the hearing of their intent to attend. If no notification of intent to attend the hearing is received by that date, the hearing may be cancelled. A transcript of the public hearing will not be made unless a written request for a transcript is made. If you do not wish to be heard at the public hearing, you may submit written comments on the proposed administrative regulation. Written comments shall be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Send written notification of intent to be heard at the public hearing or written comments on the proposed administrative regulation to the contact person.
CONTACT PERSON: Laura Sharp, Administrative Specialist III, Office of General Counsel, 200 Mero Street, 5th Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40622; phone (502)564-6660, fax (502)564-9875, email laura.sharp@ky.gov.

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS AND TIERING STATEMENT
Contact Person:
Laura Sharp
(1) Provide a brief summary of:
(a) What this administrative regulation does:
This administrative regulation establishes the standards that govern the Commonwealth's investment and cash management programs.
(b) The necessity of this administrative regulation:
KRS 42.500, 42.520, and 42.525 provide that the State Investment Commission shall implement the state’s investment program by administrative regulation.
(c) How this administrative regulation conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
This regulation sets standards for the investment and reinvestment of state funds and the acquisition, retention, management, and disposition of investments.
(d) How this administrative regulation currently assists or will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
This administrative regulation assists in the interpretation of the securities allowed to be purchased by the Commission and limitations thereon.
(2) If this is an amendment to an existing administrative regulation, provide a brief summary of:
(a) How the amendment will change this existing administrative regulation:
This amendment clarifies investment limits on individual pools. In addition, it increases the limits, by less than inflation, of capital requirements for approved broker dealers in Section 10.
(b) The necessity of the amendment to this administrative regulation:
This amendment is necessary to improve transparency of investment limits and ensure approved broker dealers have reasonable cash reserves.
(c) How the amendment conforms to the content of the authorizing statutes:
The amendment is consistent with the statute and makes no operational changes to the investment and reinvestment of state funds.
(d) How the amendment will assist in the effective administration of the statutes:
By improving clarity and transparency on investment limits.
(3) List the type and number of individuals, businesses, organizations, or state and local governments affected by this administrative regulation:
None of the above will be affected.
(4) Provide an analysis of how the entities identified in question (3) will be impacted by either the implementation of this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change, if it is an amendment, including:
(a) List the actions that each of the regulated entities identified in question (3) will have to take to comply with this administrative regulation or amendment:
No action needed.
(b) In complying with this administrative regulation or amendment, how much will it cost each of the entities identified in question (3):
No cost.
(c) As a result of compliance, what benefits will accrue to the entities identified in question (3):
Not applicable.
(5) Provide an estimate of how much it will cost the administrative body to implement this administrative regulation:
(a) Initially:
No additional cost.
(b) On a continuing basis:
No additional cost.
(6) What is the source of the funding to be used for the implementation and enforcement of this administrative regulation:
No additional funding is necessary for implementation of this regulation.
(7) Provide an assessment of whether an increase in fees or funding will be necessary to implement this administrative regulation, if new, or by the change if it is an amendment:
No additional funding is necessary for implementation of this regulation.
(8) State whether or not this administrative regulation establishes any fees or directly or indirectly increases any fees:
No fees are established or increased.
(9) TIERING: Is tiering applied?
The Commonwealth runs three different funds. Different agencies have different needs for their money, and we accommodate those needs by offering the pools. Historically, the cumulative balances were between 3-4 billion but now due to budget surpluses and funding the BRTF balance is between 12-13 billion on average.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(1) Identify each state statute, federal statute, or federal regulation that requires or authorizes the action taken by the administrative regulation.
KRS 42.500, 42.520, and 42.525 provide that the State Investment Commission shall implement the state’s investment program by administrative regulation.
(2) Identify the promulgating agency and any other affected state units, parts, or divisions:
None should be directly affected. The regulation concerns the internal operations of the State Investment Commission and its investments.
(a) Estimate the following for the first year:
Expenditures:
$0
Revenues:
$0
Cost Savings:
$0
(b) How will expenditures, revenues, or cost savings differ in subsequent years?
No subsequent year impacts on expenditures, revenues, or cost savings are expected.
(3) Identify affected local entities (for example: cities, counties, fire departments, school districts):
None should be directly affected. The regulation concerns the internal operations of the State Investment Commission and its investments.
(a) Estimate the following for the first year:
Expenditures:
$0
Revenues:
$0
Cost Savings:
$0
(b) How will expenditures, revenues, or cost savings differ in subsequent years?
No subsequent year impacts on expenditures, revenues, or cost savings are expected.
(4) Identify additional regulated entities not listed in questions (2) or (3):
None should be directly affected. The regulation concerns the internal operations of the State Investment Commission and its investments.
(a) Estimate the following for the first year:
Expenditures:
$0
Revenues:
$0
Cost Savings:
$0
(b) How will expenditures, revenues, or cost savings differ in subsequent years?
No subsequent year impacts on expenditures, revenues, or cost savings are expected.
(5) Provide a narrative to explain the:
(a) Fiscal impact of this administrative regulation:
None.
(b) Methodology and resources used to determine the fiscal impact:
The regulation is being amended to bring it into alignment with current Office of Financial Management practice.
(6) Explain:
(a) Whether this administrative regulation will have an overall negative or adverse major economic impact to the entities identified in questions (2) - (4). ($500,000 or more, in aggregate)
No major economic impact is expected.
(b) The methodology and resources used to reach this conclusion:
The regulation is being amended to bring it into alignment with current Office of Financial Management practice.

7-Year Expiration: 3/29/2029

Last Updated: 8/21/2024


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