(1) The assets of a joint self-insurance program governed by this chapter may be invested only in accordance with the general investment authority that participating local government entities possess as a governmental entity.

     (2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, a joint self-insurance program may invest all or a portion of its assets by depositing the assets with the treasurer of a county within whose territorial limits any of its member local government entities lie, to be invested by the treasurer for the joint program.

     (3) Local government members of a joint self-insurance program may by resolution of the program designate some other person having experience in financial or fiscal matters as treasurer of the program, if that designated treasurer is located in Washington state. The program shall, unless the program's treasurer is a county treasurer, require a bond obtained from a surety company authorized to do business in Washington in an amount and under the terms and conditions that the program finds will protect against loss arising from mismanagement or malfeasance in investing and managing program funds. The program may pay the premium on the bond.

     All program funds must be paid to the treasurer and shall be disbursed by the treasurer only on warrants issued by the treasurer or a person appointed by the program and upon orders or vouchers approved by the program or as authorized under chapters 35A.40 and 42.24 RCW. The treasurer shall establish a program account, into which shall be recorded all program funds, and the treasurer shall maintain special accounts as may be created by the program into which the treasurer shall record all money as the program may direct by resolution.

     (4) The treasurer of the joint program shall deposit all program funds in a public depository or depositories as defined in RCW 39.58.010(2) and under the same restrictions, contracts, and security as provided for any participating local government entity, and the depository shall be designated by resolution of the program.

     (5) A joint self-insurance program may invest all or a portion of its assets by depositing the assets with the state investment board, to be invested by the state investment board in accordance with chapter 43.33A RCW. The state investment board shall designate a manager for those funds to whom the program may direct requests for disbursement upon orders or vouchers approved by the program or as authorized under chapters 35A.40 and 42.24 RCW.

     (6) All interest and earnings collected on joint program funds belong to the program and must be deposited to the program's credit in the proper program account.

     (7) A joint program may require a reasonable bond from any person handling money or securities of the program and may pay the premium for the bond.

     (8) Subsections (3) and (4) of this section do not apply to a multistate joint self-insurance program governed by RCW 48.62.081.

[2003 c 248 § 20; 1991 sp.s. c 30 § 11.]