(a) The actual cost of establishing the vendor registration system and the investment information bank shall be borne equally by registered vendors, based on the total number of registered vendors. Each registered vendor shall pay a one-time establishment fee equal to a pro rata share of the establishment costs charged to vendors that register with the board prior to the close of the initial registration period, as determined by the board. The one-time establishment fee charged to vendors that register with the board after the completion of the initial registration period shall be distributed equally among registered vendors that have paid the establishment fee, and credited toward subsequent maintenance and administrative fees charged to each vendor.

(b) The actual cost of maintaining the vendor registration system and the investment information bank, and the costs associated with publicizing the availability of the investment information bank to local school districts, community college districts, and county offices of education and their employees, shall be borne equally by registered vendors, based on the total number of registered vendors. Each registered vendor shall pay a renewal fee equal to a pro rata share of the maintenance costs, as determined by the board.

(c) Each registered vendor shall pay an administrative fee for each 403(b) product it offers to school employees, which shall represent the actual costs associated with processing the information related to the investment option and presenting it on the investment information bank, as determined by the board.

(d) The board may not divert member services resources or personnel to establish or maintain the registration list.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 1095, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)