[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 139 (Friday, July 19, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47457-47464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-18235]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Chapter 301

[FTR Amendment 106]
RIN 3090-AH64


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 reveal that the maximum per diem rate 
for the State of Florida, city of Jacksonville/Mayport including Duval 
County and Mayport Naval Station, the State of Georgia, city of 
Savannah including Chatham County, and the State of South Carolina, 
city of Charleston/Berkeley County including Charleston and Berkeley 
Counties, should be increased; and the maximum per diem rate for the 
State of Alabama, city of Huntsville including Madison County, and the 
State of Mississippi, city of Biloxi/Gulfport including Harrison 
County, should be decreased to provide for the reimbursement of Federal 
employees' lodging expenses covered by the per diem. This final rule 
increases or decreases the maximum lodging amounts in the prescribed 
areas.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 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 Huntsville, Alabama; Savannah, Georgia; 
Charleston/Berkeley County, South Carolina; Jacksonville/Mayport, 
Florida; and Biloxi/Gulfport, Mississippi.

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.

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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 Huntsville, Alabama, including Madison County, 
the column entitled ``Maximum lodging amount'' is revised to read 
``67'' and the column entitled ``Maximum per diem rate'' is revised to 
read ``105''.
    b. At the entry for Jacksonville/Mayport, Florida, including Duval 
County and Mayport Naval Station, the column entitled ``Maximum lodging 
amount'' is revised to read ``81'' and the column entitled ``Maximum 
per diem rate'' is revised to read ``115''.
    c. At the entry for Savannah, Georgia, including Chatham County, 
the column entitled ``Maximum lodging amount'' is revised to read 
``89'' and the column entitled ``Maximum per diem rate'' is revised to 
read ``127''.
    d. At the entry for Biloxi/Gulfport, Mississippi, including 
Harrison County, the column entitled ``Maximum lodging amount'' is 
revised to read ``61'' and the column entitled ``Maximum per diem 
rate'' is revised to read ``99''.
    e. At the entry for Charleston/Berkeley County, South Carolina, 
including Charleston and Berkeley Counties, the column entitled 
``Maximum lodging amount'' is revised to read ``106'' and the column 
entitled ``Maximum per diem rate'' is revised to read ``148''.
    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: July 11, 2002.
Stephen A. Perry,
Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 02-18235 Filed 7-18-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-C