[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 5, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38604-38608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13166]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Chapter 301

[FTR Amendment 105]
RIN 3090-AH62


Federal Travel Regulation; Maximum Per Diem Rates

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: 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. An analysis of FPLP contracting actions 
and the lodging rate survey data reveals that the maximum per diem rate 
for the State of Maryland, city of Baltimore including Baltimore 
County, and Lexington Park/Leonardtown/Lusby, including St. Mary's and 
Calvert Counties; and the State of Tennessee, city of Memphis including 
Shelby County, should be increased; and the maximum per diem rate for 
State of Alabama, city of Montgomery, including Montgomery County, 
should be decreased to provide for the reimbursement of Federal 
employees' lodging expenses covered by the per diem. This final rule 
increases the maximum lodging amounts in the prescribed areas.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 15, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joddy P. Garner, Office of 
Governmentwide Policy, Travel Management Policy, at 202-501-4857.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    In the past, properties in high cost travel areas have been under 
no obligation to provide lodging to Federal travelers at the prescribed 
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. FPLP contract results 
along with the lodging survey data are integrated together to determine 
reasonable per diem rates that more accurately reflect lodging costs in 
these areas. In addition, 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. 
After an analysis of this additional data, the maximum lodging amounts 
are being changed in Montgomery, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; 
Baltimore, Maryland; and Lexington Park/Leonardtown/Lusby, Maryland.

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 record keeping 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 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:

CHAPTER 301--TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES

    1. In Chapter 301, amend the table in Appendix A as follows:
    a. At the entry for Montgomery, Alabama, including Montgomery 
County, the column entitled ``Maximum lodging amount'' is revised to 
read ``57'' and the column entitled ``Maximum per diem rate'' is 
revised to read ``95''.
    b. At the entry for Baltimore, Maryland, including Baltimore 
County, the column entitled ``Maximum lodging amount'' is revised to 
read ``137'' and the column entitled ``Maximum per diem rate'' is 
revised to read ``179''.
    c. At the entries for Lexington Park/Leonardtown/Lusby, Maryland, 
including St. Mary's and Calvert Counties, the column entitled 
``Maximum lodging amount'' is revised to read ``72'' and the column 
entitled ``Maximum per diem rate'' is revised to read ``106''.
    d. At the entry for Memphis, Tennessee, city of Memphis, including 
Shelby County, the column entitled ``Maximum lodging amount'' is 
revised to read ``75'' and the column entitled ``Maximum per diem 
rate'' is revised to read ``113''.
    The revised pages containing the amendments to the table set forth 
above read as follows:

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

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    Dated: May 16, 2002.
Stephen A. Perry,
Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 02-13166 Filed 6-4-02; 8:45 am]
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