[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 162 (Monday, August 23, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45890-45891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21811]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 303-70

[FTR Amendment 86]
RIN 3090-AH04


Federal Travel Regulation; Agency Requirements for Payment of 
Expenses Connected With the Death of Certain Employees

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 
provisions pertaining to payment by the Government of expenses 
connected with the death of certain employees while performing official 
Government travel, and for transportation of the remains of a member of 
the employee's immediate family who dies while residing with the 
employee outside the continental United States (CONUS) or in transit 
thereto or therefrom. This amendment implements the authority provided 
in 5 U.S.C. 5742 to pay certain expenses in connection with escort of 
remains of certain employees. It also amends a CFR section heading to 
clarify that the regulation applies when a member of an employee's 
immediate family is in transit from as well as to the employee's duty 
station outside CONUS.

DATES: This final rule is effective August 23, 1999, and applies to 
payment of expenses in connection with the escort of remains of certain 
employees on or after August 23, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra Batton, Travel and 
Transportation Management Policy Division, at (202) 501-1538.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Public Law 105-277, October 21, 1998, amended 5 U.S.C. 5742 to 
allow for payment of travel expenses as follows:

the travel expenses of not more than 2 persons to escort the remains 
of a deceased employee, if death occurred while the employee was in 
travel status away from his official station in the United States or 
while performing official duties outside the United States or in 
transit thereto or therefrom, from the place of death to the home or 
official station of such person, or such other place appropriate for 
interment as is determined by the head of the agency concerned.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    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.

C. Executive Order 12866

    The General Services Administration (GSA) has determined that this 
final rule is not a significant regulatory action for the purposes of 
Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this final rule 
does not impose recordkeeping or information collection requirements or 
the collection of information from offerors, contractors, or members of 
the public which require the approval of the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under 44 U.S.C. 501 et seq.

[[Page 45891]]

E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This final rule is also 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 303-70

    Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 41 CFR part 303-70 is 
amended as follows:

PART 303-70--AGENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PAYMENT OF EXPENSES CONNECTED 
WITH THE DEATH OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES

    1. The authority citation for part 303-70 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5721-5738; 5741-5742; E.O. 11609, 3 CFR, 
1971-1975 Comp., p. 586.

    2. Section 303-70.100 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 303-70.100  May we pay the travel expenses for an escort for the 
remains of a deceased employee?

    Yes, in accordance with Secs. 303-70.600 through 303-70.602.
    3. Section 303-70.403 is amended by revising the section heading to 
read as follows:


Sec. 303-70.403  When a family member, residing with the employee, dies 
while in transit to or from the employee's duty station outside CONUS, 
must we furnish mortuary services and/or transportation of the remains?

* * * * *
    4. Part 303-70 is amended by adding Subpart G to read as follows:

Subpart G--Escort of Remains

Sec.
303-70.600  How many persons may we authorize travel expenses for to 
escort the remains of a deceased employee?
303-70.601  Under what circumstances may we authorize the escort of 
remains?
303-70.602  What travel expenses may we authorize for the escort of 
remains?

Subpart G--Escort of Remains


Sec. 303-70.600  How many persons may we authorize travel expenses for 
to escort the remains of a deceased employee?

    Travel expenses may be authorized for no more than two persons.


Sec. 303-70.601  Under what circumstances may we authorize the escort 
of remains?

    Escort of remains may be authorized when the employee's death 
occurs:
    (a) While in a travel status away from his/her official station in 
the United States; or
    (b) While performing official duties outside the United States or 
in transit thereto or therefrom.


Sec. 303-70.602  What travel expenses may we authorize for the escort 
of remains?

    You may authorize any travel expenses in accordance with chapter 
301 of this title that are necessary for the escort of remains to:
    (a) The home or official station of the deceased; or
    (b) Any other place appropriate for interment as determined by the 
head of your agency.

    Dated: July 8, 1999.
David J. Barram,
Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 99-21811 Filed 8-20-99; 8:45 am]
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