[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 231 (Thursday, December 2, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67670-67688]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31215]
[[Page 67669]]
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Part III
General Services Administration
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41 CFR Parts 300-3 and 301-10 and Chapter 301
Federal Travel Regulation; Maximum Per Diem Rates and Other Travel
Allowances; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 231 / Thursday, December 2, 1999 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 67670]]
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
41 CFR Parts 300-3 and 301-10 and Chapter 301
[FTR Amendment 87]
RIN 3090-AH18
Federal Travel Regulation; Maximum Per Diem Rates and Other
Travel Allowances
AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: An analysis of lodging and meal cost survey data reveals that
the listing of maximum per diem rates for locations within the
continental United States (CONUS) should be updated to provide for the
reimbursement of Federal employees' expenses covered by per diem. This
final rule amends incidental expenses to specify that transportation
between places of lodging or business and places where meals are taken,
if suitable meals can be obtained at the temporary duty site, is
covered under the incidental expenses portion of the meals and
incidental expenses (M&IE) allowance; adds a provision when the use of
premium-class other than first-class airline accommodations may be
used; and, among other things, increases/decreases the maximum lodging
amounts in certain existing per diem localities, adds new per diem
localities, removes a number of previously designated per diem
localities, and increases the maximum lodging amount under the standard
rate.
DATES: This final rule is effective January 1, 2000, and applies for
travel performed on or after January 1, 2000, with the exception of the
maximum per diem rate prescribed for Harford County, Maryland, which
applies on December 2, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Harte, telephone (202) 501-0483.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
The General Services Administration (GSA), after an analysis of
additional data, has determined that current lodging and meals and
incidental expenses (M&IE) allowances for certain localities do not
adequately reflect the cost of lodging in those areas. To provide
adequate per diem reimbursement for Federal employee travel to those
areas, the maximum per diem allowances are changed.
B. Executive Order 12866
GSA has determined that this final rule is not a significant
regulatory action for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 of
September 30, 1993.
C. 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, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., does not apply.
D. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the revisions do
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 under 44 U.S.C. 501 et seq.
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
41 CFR Part 300-3
Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses.
41 CFR Part 301-10
Common carriers, Government employees, Government property, Travel
and transportation expenses.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 41 CFR Chapters 300 and
301 are amended as follows:
PART 300-3--GLOSSARY OF TERMS
1. The authority citation for part 300-3 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 5 U.S.C. 5738; 5 U.S.C. 5741-5742; 20
U.S.C. 905(a); 31 U.S.C. 1353; 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 49 U.S.C. 40118;
E.O. 11609, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 586.
2. Section 300-3.1 is amended by republishing the introductory text
and revising paragraph (c)(2) in the definition of ``per diem
allowance'' to read as follows:
Sec. 300-3.1 What do the following terms mean?
* * * * *
Per diem allowance--The per diem allowance (also referred to as
subsistence allowance) is a daily payment instead of reimbursement for
actual expenses for lodging (excluding taxes), meals, and related
incidental expenses. The per diem allowance is separate from
transportation expenses and other miscellaneous expenses. The per diem
allowance covers all charges, including any service charges where
applicable for:
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(2) Transportation between places of lodging or business and places
where meals are taken, if suitable meals can be obtained at the TDY
site; and
* * * * *
PART 301-10--TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES
3. The authority citation for part 301-10 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 40 U.S.C. 486(c); 49 U.S.C. 40118.
4. Section 301-10.124 is amended by revising the introductory text,
by removing the period at the end of paragraph (i) and adding a
semicolon in its place, and by adding paragraph (j) to read as follows:
Sec. 301-10.124 When may I use premium-class other than first-class
airline accommodations?
Only when your agency specifically authorizes/approves your use of
such accommodations under paragraphs (a) through (j) of this section:
* * * * *
(j) When required because of agency mission.
5. Appendix A to chapter 301 is revised to read as follows:
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Appendix A to Chapter 301--Prescribed Maximum Per Diem Rates for
CONUS
The maximum rates listed in this appendix are prescribed under
part 301-11 of this chapter for reimbursement of per diem expenses
incurred during official travel within CONUS (the continental United
States). The amount shown in column (a) is the maximum that will be
reimbursed for lodging expenses excluding taxes. The M&IE rate shown
in column (b) is a fixed amount allowed for meals and incidental
expenses covered by per diem. The per diem payment calculated in
accordance with part 301-11 of this chapter for lodging expenses
plus the M&IE rate may not exceed the maximum per diem rate shown in
column (c). Seasonal rates apply during the periods indicated. It is
the policy of the Government, as reflected in the Hotel Motel Fire
Safety Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-391, September 25, 1990 as
amended by Public Law 105-85, November 18, 1997), referred to as
``the Act'' in this paragraph, to save lives and protect property by
promoting fire safety in hotels, motels, and all places of public
accommodation affecting commerce. In furtherance of the Act's goals,
employees are encouraged to stay in a facility which is fire-safe,
i.e., an approved accommodation, when commercial lodging is
required. Lodgings that meet the Government requirements are listed
on the U.S. Fire Administration's Internet site at http://
www.usfa.fema.gov/hotel/index.htm.
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Dated: November 26, 1999.
Stephenie Foster,
Acting Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 99-31215 Filed 12-1-99; 8:45 am]
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