National Association of State Treasurers

National Association of State Treasurers
Name	National Association of State Treasurers
Abbreviation	NAST
Formation	1970s
Type	Professional association
Headquarters	United States
Region served	United States
Membership	State treasurers, territories, commonwealths
Leader title	President

National Association of State Treasurers is a professional association for elected and appointed financial officials in the United States that serves as a forum for fiscal policy coordination, technical assistance, and interjurisdictional collaboration. Formed during a period of fiscal reform debates alongside entities such as the National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, and Council of State Governments, the organization links officials from states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and other United States territories to exchange practices on cash management, debt issuance, and public finance. It often interacts with federal institutions including the United States Department of the Treasury, the Government Accountability Office, and the Federal Reserve System on issues affecting state-level fiduciary responsibilities.

History

The association traces its roots to mid-20th century efforts by state fiscal officers influenced by initiatives from the New Deal era, the post-war expansion under the Truman administration, and later reforms contemporaneous with the Public Management Movement and the rise of intergovernmental organizations such as the National Association of Counties and the United States Conference of Mayors. Early meetings convened alongside conferences hosted by the American Legislative Exchange Council and the Council on State Taxation, reflecting concerns with municipal bond markets shaped by events like the evolution of the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and the aftermath of the 1970s fiscal crises. Over decades the association adapted to regulatory changes stemming from statutes like the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and court decisions affecting public finance, aligning practices with standards from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board and commentary from the Office of Inspector General.

Mission and Activities

The association’s stated mission emphasizes stewardship of public funds and enhancement of treasury operations, coordinating with organizations such as the International Association of Government Officials, the State Fiscal Officers Association, and the Association of Public Treasurers. Activities include advising on debt management influenced by market structures shaped by the Municipal Bond Market, aligning depository policies with guidance from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and promoting payment modernization compatible with standards discussed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. It also assists members in implementing programs related to unclaimed property administration reflecting precedents from cases like Texas v. New Jersey and guidance from the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators.

Membership and Governance

Membership comprises elected state treasurers, appointed fiscal officers from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials from the United States Virgin Islands, and designees from the District of Columbia; affiliate members include staff from state auditor offices and treasury divisions that interact with entities such as the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers and the Government Finance Officers Association. Governance typically features an executive committee and an elected president who may coordinate with committees modeled after structures used by the National Association of Attorneys General and the American Bar Association task forces. The association’s bylaws prescribe term limits and voting procedures akin to practices in the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Governors Association.

Programs and Initiatives

Programs prioritize cash and liquidity management, debt issuance protocols, and financial literacy programs often modeled on partnerships with the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy and the Financial Literacy and Education Commission. Initiatives include statewide initiatives to modernize electronic payments informed by pilots from the U.S. Treasury's Direct Deposit Program and collaboration on municipal market transparency paralleling reforms advocated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other initiatives address pension cash flows and interaction with state pension systems influenced by analyses from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and research produced by the National Institute on Retirement Security.

Policy and Advocacy

The association advocates on federal policy affecting state cash management, tax credit allocations, and municipal finance, engaging with agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, and the Office of Management and Budget. Policy positions have touched on issues like municipal bond tax treatment debated in hearings of the United States Congress and regulatory proposals issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The association coordinates comments for rulemaking dockets, submits testimony to congressional committees such as the House Committee on Financial Services and the Senate Committee on Finance, and partners with coalitions including the American Bankers Association and the Investment Company Institute when addressing bank custody, collateralization, and securities settlement practices.

Conferences and Training

Annual conferences and regional meetings convene members alongside speakers from institutions like the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Brookings Institution, and the Urban Institute to discuss topics ranging from debt strategies to fintech adoption showcased at events similar to those of the Government Finance Officers Association and the National Association of State Personnel Executives. Training programs cover topics developed with academic partners such as the Harvard Kennedy School, the Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy, and state university public policy centers, and may include certificate courses modeled after curricula from the National Association of Colleges and Employers and executive education providers.

Publications and Research

The association publishes policy briefs, best-practice guides, and research reports that reference frameworks from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, data analyses akin to work by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and comparative studies resembling publications from the Mercatus Center and the Center for State and Local Government Excellence. Resources for members include model investment policies, guidance on unclaimed property law reflecting precedents from state supreme courts, and technical notes on bond issuance procedures coordinated with underwriters and municipal advisors regulated under rules influenced by the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Category:Professional associations based in the United States