[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20731]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 24, 1994]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 301-8

[FTR Amendment 38]

RIN 3090-AF54

 

Federal Travel Regulation; Reimbursement of Higher Actual 
Subsistence Expenses in Special or Unusual Circumstances

AGENCY: Federal Supply Service, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule removes the October 1, 1994 expiration date 
applicable to authority of the Administrator of General Services to 
establish, at the request of the head of an agency, a higher maximum 
daily rate for subsistence expenses not to exceed 300 percent of the 
maximum per diem rate prescribed in the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 
(41 CFR chapters 301-304) for official travel to an area within the 
continental United States (CONUS) where special or unusual 
circumstances result in an extreme increase in subsistence costs for a 
temporary period. This action will permit the Administrator of General 
Services to continue to consider agency requests for a higher actual 
subsistence expense reimbursement rate for a CONUS location where 
special or unusual circumstances result in an extreme increase in 
subsistence costs for a temporary period.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is effective October 1, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry A. Tucker, Transportation 
Management Division (FBX), Washington, DC 20406, telephone 703-305-
5745.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The General Services Administration (GSA) 
issued FTR Amendment 7 (55 FR 2379, Jan. 24, 1990) to accommodate 
requests from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for establishment 
of a higher maximum daily rate for reimbursement of actual subsistence 
expenses in a Presidentially declared disaster area. This change was 
prompted by the devastation Hurricane Hugo inflicted upon a broad area 
surrounding Charleston, SC in September 1989, resulting in a severe 
shortage of affordable lodging for Federal emergency personnel 
performing temporary duty there. GSA expanded the authority in FTR 
Amendment 19 (56 FR 37478, Aug. 7, 1991) to accommodate requests from 
an agency head for establishment of a higher actual subsistence expense 
reimbursement rate for a location within the continental United States 
where special or unusual circumstances result in an extreme increase in 
subsistence costs for a temporary period.
    GSA has determined that this rule is not a significant regulatory 
action for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993. 
This final rule is not required to be published in the Federal Register 
for notice and comment. Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act does 
not apply.

List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 301-8

    Government employees, Travel, Travel allowances, Travel and 
transportation expenses.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 41 CFR part 301-8 is 
amended to read as follows:

PART 301-8--REIMBURSEMENT OF ACTUAL SUBSISTENCE EXPENSES

    1. The authority citation for part 301-8 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: U.S.C. 5701-5709; E.O. 11609, 36 FR 13747, 3 CFR, 
1971-1975 Comp., p. 586.

    2. Section 301-8.3 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 301-8.3  Maximum daily rates and reimbursement limitations.

* * * * *
    (c) Travel to an area within CONUS where special or unusual 
circumstances result in an extreme increase in subsistence costs for a 
temporary period--(1) Authority to establish a higher actual 
subsistence expense reimbursement rate. The Administrator of General 
Services may establish an appropriate maximum daily rate for 
reimbursement of actual subsistence expenses not to exceed 300 percent 
of the maximum per diem rate prescribed in Sec. 301-7.3(a) of this 
chapter when the following conditions are met:
    (i) Travel is to an area within CONUS where special or unusual 
circumstances result in an extreme increase in subsistence costs for a 
temporary period;
    (ii) The head of an agency submits a request, as specified in 
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, for establishment of a maximum daily 
rate above the maximum rate prescribed in paragraph (a) of this 
section; and
    (iii) The justification supporting the request warrants 
establishment of a higher rate.
    (2) Application and limitations. Such higher established rate shall 
apply for all official travel to the area, and will be effective for a 
period not to exceed 30 days. When the Administrator establishes a 
higher actual subsistence expense rate, the limitation in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section shall not apply.
    (3) Rate requests. A request for a higher actual subsistence 
expense reimbursement rate, with the exception of a request for travel 
to a Presidentially declared disaster area, shall be submitted at least 
30 days in advance of the beginning of the recommended effective period 
unless otherwise adequately justified. The request shall be submitted 
in writing to the Administrator of General Services, Washington, DC 
20405, and must contain the following information:
    (i) A specification of the geographic area encompassed;
    (ii) If the area is a Presidentially declared disaster area, a copy 
of the Presidential disaster declaration;
    (iii) A recommended maximum daily rate not to exceed 300 percent of 
the maximum per diem rate prescribed for the area under Sec. 301-7.3;
    (iv) A description of the specific circumstances which justify the 
establishment of the recommended rate;
    (v) An estimate of the cost impact of establishing a maximum daily 
rate for subsistence expenses above the maximum rate prescribed in 
paragraph (a) of this section; and
    (vi) A recommended time period for effectiveness of the maximum 
daily rate requested to be established under this paragraph.
    (4) Extensions. The Administrator may extend the period of 
effectiveness in increments of up to 30 days upon the request of the 
head of the agency originally requesting establishment of the higher 
rate.
* * * * *
    Dated: August 15, 1994.

Julia M. Stasch,
Acting Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 94-20731 Filed 8-23-94; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 6820-24-F