[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 170 (Friday, August 31, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46070-46088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21808]



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Part II





General Services Administration





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41 CFR Part 301



Federal Travel Regulation; Maximum Per Diem Rates; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2001 / Rules 
and Regulations  

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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Chapter 301

[FTR Amendment 97]
RIN 3090-AH44


Federal Travel Regulation; Maximum Per Diem Rates

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 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 ability of the per diem rates to meet the lodging demands 
of Federal travelers to high cost travel locations, the General 
Services Administration (GSA) has integrated the contracting mechanism 
of the new Federal Premier Lodging Program (FPLP) into the per diem 
rate-setting process. The FPLP will enhance the Government's ability to 
better meet its overall room night demand and allow travelers to find 
lodging close to where they need to conduct business.

DATES: This final rule is effective October 1, 2001, and applies for 
travel performed on or after October 1, 2001.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    After an analysis of additional data, GSA 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. Properties in high cost travel areas are under no obligation 
to provide lodging to Federal travelers at the per diem rate. Thus, GSA 
established the FPLP to contract directly with properties in high cost 
travel markets to make available a set number of rooms to Federal 
travelers at contract rates. For the FPLP destinations, those rates 
will become effective pending contractual awards. (A listing of the 
FPLP destinations will follow the per diem rates listing).
    In addition, GSA has received notice of the Winter Olympics taking 
place in Salt Lake City, Utah. Effective January 15 through February 
28, 2002, the lodging peak-season rate for Park City, Utah, of $169 
will apply to the counties of Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, Summit, and Utah 
to provide for the reimbursement of Federal employees' expenses covered 
by the per diem.

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 proposed 
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 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 amounts shown in column (a) are the maximums that will be 
reimbursed for lodging expenses excluding taxes. The M&IE rates 
shown in column (b) are fixed amounts 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 (Pub. L. 101-391, 
September 25, 1990 as amended by Pub. L. 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.cfm.

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Attachment A to Appendix A of Chapter 301

    The FY 2002 per diem rate will not change until FPLP contracts 
are active in the following locations:

Huntsville, AL
Montgomery, AL
Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ
Sierra Vista, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Los Angeles, CA
Monterey, CA
Sacramento, CA
San Diego, CA
San Francisco, CA
Colorado Springs, CO
Washington, DC Metropolitan Area
Jacksonville/Mayport, FL
Miami, FL
Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL
Atlanta, GA
Cobb County, GA
Dekalb County, GA
Savannah, GA
Indianapolis, IN
Kansas City/Overland Park, KS
New Orleans, LA
Annapolis, MD
Baltimore, MD
Columbia, MD
Harford County, MD
Lexington Park/Leonardtown/Lusby, MD
Detroit, MI
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
Albuquerque, NM
Cincinnati, OH
Columbus, OH
Oklahoma City, OK
Portland, OR
Harrisburg, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
Charleston, SC
Memphis, TN
Arlington, TX
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
El Paso, TX
Ft. Worth, TX
Houston, TX
Killeen, TX
San Antonio, TX
Salt Lake City, UT (will change only for the Olympics)
Richmond, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Seattle, WA

    Dated: August 23, 2001.
Stephen A. Perry,
Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 01-21808 Filed 8-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-34-P