The leading voice for excellence in public finance
The leading voice for excellence in public finance

Advocacy

Policies & Resolutions

NAST serves as the leading advocate for responsible treasury programs and financial policies.

Our mission is to be the nation’s leading advocate for responsible state treasury programs and related financial practices and policies. The organization’s policies are guided by resolutions adopted by the membership.

View NAST Tracked Legislation HERE.

globe on keyboard, Connect button

Policies and Advocacy Toolkits Element

NAST provides information and resources to make a difference on critical consumer regulations and key federal legislation.  For a list of current policies, advocacy toolkits, and related resources, view the following policy advocacy areas:

NAST Resolutions

View current policy resolutions below, by category.

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE)

Supporting Enhancements to the Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act
Supporting Enhancements to the Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act
October 2, 2023

Banking and Cash Management

Supporting State Prerogatives to Set Small-Dollar Loan Policy
Supports efforts, which may include cross-functional and multi-agency partnerships, at all levels of government and across the public and private sectors, opposes federal efforts that preempt states’ ability to set maximum interest rates and other policies on small-dollar lending activity.
October 2, 2023
State Bankruptcy
October 2, 2023
Supporting efforts to improve Cybersecurity
Support for efforts, which may include cross-functional and multi-agency partnerships, at all levels of government and across the public and private sectors, to effectively mitigate the risks of cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and the resulting impact on systems serving the public.
Approved in 2022.
Cannabis Banking Resolution
Support for allowing the States with state legalized medical and recreational cannabis the ability to bring these activities into the safety and scrutiny of the National Banking System
Approved in 2022.

College Savings/529

Children’s Savings Accounts (CSA) Programs
Supporting Children’s Savings Accounts (CSA) Programs
October 2, 2023
Supporting a Solution to Minimize Student Debt for the Next Generation
Support for promoting awareness of 529 College Savings Plans as a part of the solution to rising student loan debt.
October 2, 2023
Regarding the Treatment of Section 529 Qualified Tuition Plans Under the Higher Education Act
Support for revisions to the Higher Education Act to include language in the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to change the current federal financial aid methodology related to the treatment of Section 529 qualified tuition plans.
October 2, 2023
Preserving the current tax treatment of Section 529 Qualified Tuition Programs
Support for the continued tax treatment of 529 plans and opposition to efforts to repeal or limit that treatment.
Approved in 2013. Amended and renewed in 2016, 2019 and 2022.
Inclusion of Contributions to 529 Plans in the Saver's Tax Credit
Support for the inclusion of Section 529 programs in the Saver’s Credit to Encourage more American Families to Save for the Rising Cost of Higher Education
Approved in 2007. Amended and renewed in 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2022.
Expand Use of Section 529 College Savings Accounts to Include Postsecondary Education Programs
Support for the expansion of eligible use of 529 proceeds to include postsecondary education programs including registered apprenticeship programs.
Approved in 2019. Amended and renewed in 2022.
Employer Incentives to Contribute to an Employee's 529 Plan
Provide Incentives and Direction to Employers to Encourage Employee Savings in a Section 529 College Savings Program
Approved in 2007. Amended and renewed in 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 2021.
State Tax Policy and Other Benefits between States for Section 529 Qualified Tuition Programs
A Resolution Supporting States' Efforts to Develop Tax and other Incentives to Promote Saving for Postsecondary Education
Approved in 2006. Renewed in 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021.
Distribution Period for 529 Plans
To Support Legislation or Policy that would clarify for 529 Plan Participants the period of time by which to take Distributions for Qualified Higher Education Expenses
Approved in 2012. Renewed in 2015, 2018 and 2021.

Cyber Security

Supporting efforts to improve Cybersecurity
Support for efforts, which may include cross-functional and multi-agency partnerships, at all levels of government and across the public and private sectors, to effectively mitigate the risks of cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and the resulting impact on systems serving the public.
Approved in 2022.
Expressing NAST Support for Legislation, such as, S.536, the “Cybersecurity Disclosure Act of 2017”, Related to Corporate Cybersecurity
Supporting the “Cybersecurity Disclosure Act of 2017” (S.536) (or substantially similar bills in subsequent Congresses) that will help provide institutional investors access to information about corporate cybersecurity competencies and risks.
March 15, 2018

Financial Education

Proclaiming NAST Support for Financial Literacy Graduation Requirements for High School Students
Approved in 2019.

Infrastructure

Guiding Principles for a Prosperous Path Forward with New National Infrastructure Investment
A resolution outlining NAST's guiding principles relating to infrastructure investment and federal programs.
Approved September 15, 2020.

Pensions and Retirement

Supporting Policies for Comprehensive Stress Testing and Risk Reporting for Public Pensions
Support for states to perform routine and transparent risk reporting for their public retirement systems.
Approved December 15, 2020.
Supporting the Investment Adviser Alignment Act
To promote enhanced transparency, alignment and governance in the private equity asset class for the benefit of state pension and retirement systems.
Approved December 15, 2020.
Supporting Policies to Increase Fee Disclosure and Standardize Reporting of Private Equity Investments
A Resolution proposing strategies that allow public funds to collect and reflect the actual cost of investing in private equity.
Approved in 2015. Amended and renewed in 2016 and 2019.
Expressing that NAST Does Not Support Legislation, such as, H.R.4015, the “Corporate Governance Reform and Transparency Act of 2017”, Related to the Relationship Between Institutional Investors and Proxy Advisory Firms
Approved on March 15, 2018.
Principles and Best Practices for Framing a Bipartisan Position on Retirement Security Models
2018

Public Finance

Support State Treasurers on the MSRB
October 2, 2023
Preserving, Enhancing and Restoring the Tax-Exempt Status of Municipal Bonds
October 2, 2023
Outlining Critical Issues Related to the Municipal Securities Market and Positions of the National Association of State Treasurers
October 2, 2023
Opposing Amendment or Repeal of the Tower Amendment
Opposing Amendment or Repeal of the Tower Amendment
October 2, 2023
Federal Home Loan Banks
Support of Renewing Authority of the Nation’s Federal Home Loan Banks to Offer Credit Enhancement to Municipal Bond Offerings
September 19, 2022

Unclaimed Property

In support of the preservation of the ability of state unclaimed property programs to utilize unclaimed property examination firms compensated on a contingency fee basis and opposing legislation and other measures that would prohibit or limit this ability
This resolution will strengthen our support for this effective, cost-efficient tool of compliance and allow us to more effectively advocate against the arguments made against these firms and state programs.
Approved in 2021
Preserving the Right of Owners to Recover Unclaimed Property from States in Perpetuity
Opposing legislative and other measures to limit the period of time in which an owner can recover unclaimed property transferred to the custody of a state.
Approved in 2019.
Supporting the Importance of Ensuring that Unclaimed Property Laws Concerning Unclaimed Property Death Benefits Due Under Life Insurance Policies Adequately Protect Consumers
Supporting the amendment or enactment of unclaimed property laws regarding unclaimed death benefits due under life insurance policies that are consistent with NAUPA’s recommendations to the ULC.
Approved on July 30, 2018 by Beth Pearce. Approved on July 28, 2019 by Dennis Johnston.