[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 171 (Friday, September 1, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53472-53489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22077]



[[Page 53471]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part IV





General Services Administration





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



41 CFR Chapter 301



Federal Travel Regulation; Maximum Per Diem Rates; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 171 / Friday, September 1, 2000 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 53472]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Chapter 301

[FTR Amendment 94]
RIN 3090-AH28


Federal Travel Regulation; Maximum Per Diem Rates

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 increases/decreases the maximum lodging amounts in certain 
existing per diem localities, adds new per diem localities, and removes 
a number of previously designated per diem localities. In an effort to 
improve the efficiency of the per diem rate-setting process, GSA has 
switched the per diem rate changes from the traditional calendar year 
schedule to a fiscal year schedule. Thus, the annual change to per diem 
rates will coincide with the budget planning process. Therefore, 
beginning this year, the per diem rates will be effective on October 1, 
the start of the fiscal year.

DATES: This final rule is effective October 1, 2000, and applies for 
travel performed on or after October 1, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joddy Garner, Office of Governmentwide 
Policy, Travel Management Policy Division, at 202 501-1538.

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 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 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 in 41 CFR Chapter 301

    Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses.


    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701-
5709, 41 CFR chapter 301 is amended as follows:
    1. Appendix A to chapter 301 is revised to read as follows:

Appendix A to Chapter 301--Prescribed Maximum Per Diem Rates for CONUS

    The maximum rates listed below 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 appendix, 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.cfm. 
BILLING CODE 6820-34-U

[[Page 53473]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.054


[[Page 53474]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.055


[[Page 53475]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.056


[[Page 53476]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.057


[[Page 53477]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.058


[[Page 53478]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.059


[[Page 53479]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.060


[[Page 53480]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.061


[[Page 53481]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.062


[[Page 53482]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.063


[[Page 53483]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.064


[[Page 53484]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.065


[[Page 53485]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.066


[[Page 53486]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.067


[[Page 53487]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.068


[[Page 53488]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.069


[[Page 53489]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR01SE00.070

    \1\ Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined 
as ``all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate 
limits of the key city, including independent entities located 
within those boundaries.''
    \2\ Per diem localities with county definitions shall include 
``all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate 
limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed 
counties, including independent entities located within the 
boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise 
listed separately).''
    \3\ When a military installation or Government-related facility 
(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more 
than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for 
the entire installation or facility is the higher of the two rates 
which apply to the cities and/or counties, even though part(s) of 
such activities may be located outside the defined per diem 
locality.
    \4\ Federal agencies may submit a request to GSA for review of 
the costs covered by per diem in a particular city or area where the 
standard CONUS rate applies when travel to that location is 
repetitive or on a continuing basis and travelers' experiences 
indicate that the prescribed rate is inadequate. Other per diem 
localities listed in this appendix will be reviewed on an annual 
basis by GSA to determine whether rates are adequate. Requests for 
per diem rate adjustments shall be submitted by the agency 
headquarters office to the General Services Administration, Office 
of Governmentwide Policy, Attn: Travel Management Policy Division 
(MTT), Washington, DC 20405. Agencies should designate an individual 
responsible for reviewing, coordinating, and submitting to GSA any 
requests from bureaus or subagencies. Requests for rate adjustments 
shall include a city designation, a description of the surrounding 
location involved (county or other defined area), and a recommended 
rate supported by a statement explaining the circumstances that 
cause the existing rate to be inadequate. The request also must 
contain an estimate of the annual number of trips to the location, 
the average duration of such trips, and the primary purpose of 
travel to the location.
    \5\ The standard CONUS rate of $85 ($55 for lodging and $30 for 
M&IE) applies to all per diem localities in the State of North 
Dakota.

    Note:  Recognizing that all locations are incorporated cities, 
the term ``city limits'' has been used as a general phrase to denote 
the commonly recognized local boundaries of the location cited.


    Dated: August 21, 2000.
David J. Barram,
Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 00-22077 Filed 8-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-34-C