(a) Except as provided by Section 825.302 or 825.303 or by Subsection (e) of this section, the comptroller is the custodian of all securities and cash of the retirement system, including securities held in the name of a nominee of the retirement system.
(b) The comptroller shall pay money from the accounts of the retirement system on warrants drawn by the comptroller and authorized by vouchers signed by the executive director or other persons designated by the board of trustees.
(c) The comptroller annually shall furnish to the board of trustees a sworn statement of the amount of the retirement system's assets in the comptroller's custody.
(d) The comptroller is not responsible, under either civil or criminal law, for any action or losses with respect to assets of the retirement system while the assets are in the custody of a commercial bank as provided by Section 825.302 or 825.303 or by Subsection (e) of this section.
(e) The board of trustees may, in the exercise of its constitutional discretion to manage the assets of the retirement system, select one or more commercial banks, depository trust companies, or other entities to serve as custodian or custodians of all or part of the retirement system's assets.