Sec. 6.05. PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANTS. (a) The board may contract for professional investment management services, financial consultants, independent auditors, third-party administrators, preferred providers, health maintenance organizations, attorneys, and actuaries. Only the board may enter into those contracts. The board may establish a reasonable fee for compensation under those contracts.

(b) The board may designate its own custodian or master custodian to perform the customary duties involving the safekeeping of the assets and the execution of transactions of either domestic or foreign securities. The board may engage in a securities lending program consistent with the benefits payable to beneficiaries.