[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30279-30280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14434]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 301-8

[FTR Amdt. 66]
RIN 3090-AG41


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

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) (41 
CFR chapters 301-304) to allow an agency to authorize or approve travel 
up to 300 percent of the prescribed maximum per diem rate on an actual 
subsistence expense basis under certain special or unusual 
circumstances.

DATES: This final rule is effective May 1, 1997, and applies for travel 
performed on or after May 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Groat, Office of Governmentwide 
Policy (MTT), Washington, DC 20405, telephone (202) 501-1538.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final rule establishes a reimbursement 
rate not to exceed 300 percent of the prescribed maximum per diem rate 
for the actual and necessary expenses of official travel within CONUS. 
For travel in foreign and nonforeign areas, maximum rates are set by 
the Departments of State and Defense, respectively.
    Further, this rule abolishes the requirements for 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 prescribed maximum per diem rate 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.
    The General Services Administration (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. This 
rule also is exempt from Congressional review prescribed under 5 U.S.C. 
801 since it relates solely to agency management and personnel.

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: 5 U.S.C. 5707.


Sec. 301-8.2  [Amended]

    2. Section 301-8.2(b) is amended to remove the phrase ``150 
percent'' where it appears and to replace it with the phrase ``300 
percent'', and to revise the fourth sentence to read, ``If the travel 
is to a location where Sec. 301-8.3(c) applies under special or unusual 
circumstances, the authorizing agency shall determine an appropriate 
limitation on the amount of reimbursement.''


Sec. 301-8.3  [Amended]

    3. Section 301-8.3 is amended in paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(1)(i) to 
remove the phrase ``150 percent'' where it appears and to replace it 
with the phrase ``300 percent''; by removing paragraph (c); by 
redesignating paragraph (d) as (c); by amending newly redesignated 
paragraph (c) to remove the phrase ``paragraphs (a) through (c) of this 
section'' where it appears and to replace it with the phrase 
``paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section''.


Sec. 301-8.3  [Amended]

    4. Section 301-8.3(a)(2) is revised to read as follows:
    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (2) Travel outside CONUS. For travel outside CONUS, the maximum 
daily rate for subsistence expenses shall not

[[Page 30280]]

exceed the greater of the amounts prescribed by the Departments of 
Defense and State, as set forth in the Joint Federal Travel Regulation/
Joint Travel Regulation and the Foreign Affairs Manual, respectively, 
for nonforeign and foreign areas.

    Dated: May 27, 1997.
David J. Barram,
Acting Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 97-14434 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-34-P