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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>64579</law_id><section_number>23.1-702</section_number><catch_line>Advisory committees to the board; membership; terms; qualifications; duties</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>2.2-3711</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="23.1">Institutions of Higher Education; Other Educational and Cultural Institutions</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Students and Campus</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="7">Commonwealth Savers Plan and Able Savings Trust Accounts</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> To assist the <span class="dictionary">board</span> in fulfilling its fiduciary duty as trustee of the funds of the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span> and to assist the <span class="dictionary">chief executive officer</span> in directing, managing, and administering the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span>&#x2019;s <span class="dictionary">assets</span>, the <span class="dictionary">board</span> shall appoint an Investment Advisory Committee to provide sophisticated, objective, and prudent investment advice and direction. <a id="paragraph-235051" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Members of the Investment Advisory Committee shall demonstrate extensive experience in any one or more of the following areas: domestic or international <span class="dictionary">equity</span> or fixed-income securities, cash management, alternative investments, institutional real estate investments, or managed futures. <a id="paragraph-235052" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> The Investment Advisory Committee shall (i) review, evaluate, and monitor investments and investment opportunities; (ii) make appropriate recommendations to the <span class="dictionary">board</span> about such investments and investment opportunities; (iii) make appropriate recommendations to the <span class="dictionary">board</span> about overall asset allocation; and (iv) perform such other duties as the <span class="dictionary">board</span> may delegate to the Investment Advisory Committee. <a id="paragraph-235053" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> To assist the <span class="dictionary">board</span> in fulfilling its responsibilities relating to the integrity of the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span>&#x2019;s financial statements, financial reporting process, and <span class="dictionary">systems</span> of internal accounting and financial controls, the <span class="dictionary">board</span> shall appoint an Audit and Actuarial Committee. <a id="paragraph-235054" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Members of the Audit and Actuarial Committee shall demonstrate an understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, generally accepted auditing standards, enterprise risk management principles, and financial statements, and <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> an ability to assess the general application of such principles to the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span>&#x2019;s activities. The members should have experience in preparing, auditing, analyzing, or evaluating financial statements of the same complexity as those of the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span>, and an understanding of internal controls and procedures for financial reporting. <a id="paragraph-235055" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> In <span class="dictionary">order</span> to establish and maintain its effectiveness and independence, the following individuals shall not be members of the Audit and Actuarial Committee: (i) current <span class="dictionary">Plan</span> employees; (ii) individuals who have been employees of the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span> in any of the prior three fiscal years; and (iii) immediate family members of an individual currently employed as an officer of the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span> or who has been employed in such a capacity within the past three fiscal years. <a id="paragraph-235056" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> The Audit and Actuarial Committee shall (i) review, examine, and monitor the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span>&#x2019;s accounting and financial reporting processes and <span class="dictionary">systems</span> of internal controls; (ii) review and examine financial statements and financial disclosures and discuss any <span class="dictionary">findings</span> with the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span>&#x2019;s senior management; (iii) make appropriate recommendations and reports to the <span class="dictionary">board</span>; (iv) monitor the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span>&#x2019;s external audit function by (a) participating in the retention, review, and discharge of independent auditors; (b) discussing the <span class="dictionary">Plan</span>&#x2019;s financial statements and accounting policies with independent auditors; and (c) reviewing the independence of independent auditors; and (v) perform such other duties as the <span class="dictionary">board</span> may delegate to the Audit and Actuarial Committee. <a id="paragraph-235057" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#B3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">board</span> may appoint such other advisory committees as it deems necessary and shall set the qualifications for members of any such advisory committee by resolution. <a id="paragraph-235058" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Advisory committee members shall serve at the pleasure of the <span class="dictionary">board</span> and may be removed by a majority vote of the <span class="dictionary">board</span>. <a id="paragraph-235059" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Members of advisory committees shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. <a id="paragraph-235060" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="F"><p><span class="prefix-number">F.</span> The disclosure requirements of subsection B of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Disclosure by state officers and employees" href="/2.2-3114/">2.2-3114</a> shall apply to each member of any advisory committee established pursuant to this section who is not also a <span class="dictionary">board</span> member. <a id="paragraph-235061" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#F"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="G"><p><span class="prefix-number">G.</span> The recommendations of an advisory committee are not binding upon the <span class="dictionary">board</span> or the designee appointed by the <span class="dictionary">board</span> to make investment decisions pursuant to subsections A and B of &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Standard of care; investment and administration of the Plan" href="/23.1-706/">23.1-706</a>. <a id="paragraph-235062" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/23.1-702/#G"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2009, cc. 827, &#xA7; 23-38.79:1, 845; 2011, cc. 18, 26; 2016, c. 588.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
