AN ACT
Relating to investment of the moneys of the firemen's pension fund; and
amending RCW 41.16.040.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE
OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec.
1. RCW
41.16.040 and 1967 ex.s. c 91 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
The
board shall have such general powers as are vested in it by the provisions of
this chapter, and in addition thereto, the power to:
(1)
Generally supervise and control the administration of this chapter and the
firemen's pension fund created hereby.
(2)
Pass upon and allow or disallow all applications for pensions or other benefits
provided by this chapter.
(3)
Provide for payment from said fund of necessary expenses of maintenance and
administration of said pension system and fund.
(4)
Invest the moneys of the fund in ((such securities of the United States,
state, municipal corporations and other public bodies as are designated by the
laws of the state of Washington as lawful investments for funds of mutual
savings banks; and in any bonds or warrants, including local improvement bonds
or warrants issued under the state local improvement guaranty fund law, or in
utility bonds or warrants issued by the municipality operating the fund.
Subject to the limitations hereinafter in this section contained, investment of
moneys of the fund may also be made in amounts not to exceed twenty-five
percent of the fund's total investments in the shares of certain open-end
investment companies: PROVIDED, That the total amount invested in any one
company shall not exceed five percent of the assets of such company, and shall
only be made in the shares of such companies as are registered as open-end
companies under the federal investment company act of 1940, as from time to
time amended. The company must be at least ten years old and have net assets
of at least five million dollars. It must have outstanding no bonds,
debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, or any stock having
priority over the shares being purchased, either as to distribution of assets
or payment of dividends. It must have paid dividends from investment income in
each of the ten years next preceding purchase. The maximum selling commission
on its shares, furthermore, may not exceed eight and one-half percent of the
sum of the asset value plus such commission)) a manner consistent with
the investment policies outlined in RCW 35.39.060. Authorized investments
shall include investment grade securities issued by the United States, state,
municipal corporations, other public bodies, corporate bonds, and other
investments authorized by RCW 35.39.030, 35.58.510, 35.81.070, 35.82.070,
36.29.020, 39.58.020, 39.58.080, 39.58.130, 39.60.010, 39.60.020, 68.52.060,
68.52.065, and 72.19.120.
(5)
Employ such agents, employees and other personnel as the board may deem
necessary for the proper administration of this chapter.
(6)
Compel witnesses to appear and testify before it, in the same manner as is or
may be provided by law for the taking of depositions in the superior court.
Any member of the board may administer oaths to witnesses who testify before
the board of a nature and in a similar manner to oaths administered by superior
courts of the state of Washington.
(7)
Issue vouchers approved by the chairman and secretary and to cause warrants
therefor to be issued and paid from said fund for the payment of claims allowed
by it.
(8)
Keep a record of all its proceedings, which record shall be public; and prepare
and file with the city treasurer and city clerk or comptroller prior to the
date when any payments are to be made from the fund, a list of all persons
entitled to payment from the fund, stating the amount and purpose of such
payment, said list to be certified to and signed by the chairman and secretary
of the board and attested under oath.
(9)
Make rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter for the purpose
of carrying out and effecting the same.
(10)
Appoint one or more duly licensed and practicing physicians who shall examine
and report to the board upon all applications for relief and pension under this
chapter. Such physicians shall visit and examine all sick and disabled firemen
when, in their judgment, the best interests of the relief and pension fund
require it or when ordered by the board. They shall perform all operations on
such sick and injured firemen and render all medical aid and care necessary for
the recovery of such firemen on account of sickness or disability received
while in the performance of duty as defined in this chapter. Such physicians
shall be paid from said fund, the amount of said fees or salary to be set and
agreed upon by the board and the physicians. No physician not regularly
appointed or specially appointed and employed, as hereinafter provided, shall
receive or be entitled to any fees or compensation from said fund as attending
physician to a sick or injured fireman. If any sick or injured fireman refuses
the services of the appointed physicians, or the specially appointed and
employed physician, he shall be personally liable for the fees of any other
physician employed by him. No person shall have a right of action against the
board or the municipality for negligence of any physician employed by it. The
board shall have the power and authority to select and employ, besides the
regularly appointed physician, such other physician, surgeon or specialist for
consultation with, or assistance to the regularly appointed physician, or for
the purpose of performing operations or rendering services and treatment in
particular cases, as it shall deem advisable, and to pay fees for such services
from said fund. Said board shall hear and decide all applications for such
relief or pensions under this chapter, and its decisions on such applications shall
be final and conclusive and not subject to revision or reversal except by the
board.
