19-2-403. Powers and duties of board. (1) The board shall administer the provisions of the chapters enumerated in 19-2-302.

(2) The board may establish rules that it considers proper for the administration and operation of the retirement systems and enforcement of the chapters under which each retirement system is established.

(3) The board shall establish uniform rules that are necessary to determine service credit for fractional years of service.

(4) The board shall determine who are employees within the meaning of each retirement system. The board is the sole authority for determining the conditions under which persons may become members of and receive benefits under the retirement systems. A person whose job duties require proportional membership in more than one retirement system is subject to the provisions of those systems.

(5) If fraud or error results in an employee or member being reported to the incorrect retirement system, the board shall correct the error and adjust contributions as necessary.

(6) The board shall determine and may modify retirement benefits under the retirement systems. Benefits may be paid only if the board decides, in its discretion, that the applicant is, under the provisions of the appropriate retirement system, entitled to the benefits.

(7) In matters of board discretion under the systems, the board shall treat all persons in similar circumstances in a uniform and nondiscriminatory manner.

(8) The board shall maintain records and accounts it determines necessary for the administration of the retirement systems.

(9) The board shall enter into memoranda of understanding with the teachers' retirement system to exchange retirement system-related confidential information regarding members, former members, or retirees. A memorandum must state that:

(a) the information may be used only for reasons related to verifying appropriate pension plan participation; and

(b) the requesting retirement system agrees to protect the confidentiality of the information and will disclose the requested information only as necessary to conduct official business.

(10) Upon the basis of the findings of the actuary pursuant to 19-2-405, the board shall adopt actuarial rates and rates of regular interest it determines appropriate for the administration of the retirement systems.

(11) The board shall review the sufficiency of benefits paid by the retirement system or plan and recommend to the legislature those changes in benefits in a defined benefit plan or in contributions under the defined contribution plan that may be necessary for members and their beneficiaries to maintain a stable standard of living.

(12) The board may implement third-party mailings under the provisions of 2-6-1017. If third-party mailings are implemented, the board shall adopt rules governing means of implementation, including the specification of eligible third parties, appropriate materials, and applicable fees and procedures. Fees generated by third-party mailings must be deposited in the appropriate retirement system fund for the benefit of participants of retirement systems or plans administered by the board.

(13) In discharging duties, the board, a member of the board, or an authorized representative of the board may conduct hearings, administer oaths and affirmations, take depositions, certify to official acts and records, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, and other records. Subpoenas must be issued and enforced pursuant to 2-4-104 of the Montana Administrative Procedure Act.

(14) The board may by rule or otherwise delegate to the board's executive director or any other staff member any of the powers or duties conferred by law upon the board except as otherwise provided by law and except for the adoption of rules and the issuance of final orders after hearings held pursuant to subsection (13) or the contested case procedure of the Montana Administrative Procedure Act.

(15) The board shall perform other duties and may exercise the powers concerning the defined contribution plan for plan members as provided in chapter 3, part 21, of this title.

History: En. 68-1803 by Sec. 20, Ch. 323, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 132, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 332, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 68-1803(1); amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 265, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 481, L. 1993; Sec. 19-3-304, MCA 1991; redes. 19-2-403 by Sec. 238, Ch. 265, L. 1993; (10)En. Sec. 2, Ch. 412, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 7, Ch. 471, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 562, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 99, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 429, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 99, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 178, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 45, Ch. 348, L. 2015.