SB 1412: California State University: investments.

Existing law authorizes the Treasurer or chief fiscal officer of a campus of the California State University to invest certain money received by the California State University in eligible securities and in investment certificates or withdrawal shares in federal or state credit unions doing business in this state as long as any money invested in this manner is fully insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

This bill would authorize the Treasurer or chief fiscal officer of a campus of the California State University to invest that money in mutual funds subject to registration by, and under the regulatory authority of, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or in United States registered real estate investment trusts. The bill would impose specified requirements on the Trustees of the California State University relating to those types of investments.

Existing law establishes the California State University Special Projects Fund, which consists of grants, revenues, and funds that are appropriated for the operation, support, and development of research, workshops, conferences, institutes, and special projects in the California State University. Existing law authorizes the Treasurer to invest money from the fund in eligible securities.

This bill would authorize the Treasurer or chief fiscal officer of a campus of the California State University to invest the money in the California State University Special Projects Fund in mutual funds subject to registration by, and under the regulatory authority of, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or in United States registered real estate investment trusts. Because the bill would authorize the expenditure of moneys from a continuously appropriated fund for new purposes, it would make an appropriation.

This bill would limit the total amount invested in these mutual funds and real estate investment trusts to specified amounts for each fiscal year, until, commencing with the 201920 fiscal year, up to 30% of that money could be invested in these asset categories. The bill would prohibit increases in tuition or reductions in course section offerings from being adopted because of investment losses sustained as a result of these provisions.