[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 222 (Monday, November 18, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69634-69639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28917]



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Part III





General Services Administration





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41 CFR Chapter 301



 Federal Travel Regulation; Maximum Per Diem Rates for Indiana, Kansas, 
Minnesota, Missouri, and Pennsylvania; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 222 / Monday, November 18, 2002 / 
Rules and Regulations  

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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Chapter 301

[FTR Amendment 110]
RIN 3090-AH73


Federal Travel Regulation; Maximum Per Diem Rates for Indiana, 
Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, and Pennsylvania

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the 
Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) to improve the ability of the per diem 
rates to meet the lodging demands of Federal travelers to high cost 
travel locations. 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 Indiana, city of Indianapolis, including Marion County and 
Fort Benjamin Harrison; State of Kansas, cities of Kansas City/Overland 
Park, including Wyandotte and Johnson Counties; State of Minnesota, 
cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, including Hennepin County and Fort 
Snelling Military Reservation and Navy Astronautics Group (Detachment 
BRAVO), and Ramsey County; State of Missouri, city of Kansas City, 
including Jackson and Clay Counties and Kansas City International 
Airport, and city of Platte, including Platte County (except Kansas 
City International Airport); and State of Pennsylvania, cities of King 
of Prussia/Ft. Washington/Bala Cynwyd, including Montgomery County, and 
city of Philadelphia, including Philadelphia County, should be changed 
to provide for the reimbursement of Federal employees' lodging expenses 
covered by the per diem. This final rule amends the final rule 
published in the Federal Register on August 30, 2002, by changing the 
maximum lodging amounts in the prescribed areas. It also eliminates 
seasonal rates for the cities of King of Prussia/Ft. Washington/Bala 
Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

DATES: This final rule is effective November 8, 2002, and applies to 
travel performed on or after that date.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Regulatory Secretariat, Room 4035, 
GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 208-7312, for information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
content, contact Joddy P. Garner, Office of Governmentwide Policy, 
Travel Management Policy, at (202) 501-4857. Please cite FTR Amendment 
110.

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 
published in the Federal Register on August 30, 2002 (67 FR 56160), are 
being changed in Indianapolis, Indiana; Kansas City/Overland Park, 
Kansas; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota; Kansas City and Platte, 
Missouri; and King of Prussia/Ft. Washington/Bala Cynwyd, and 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

B. Executive Order 12866

    This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This rule is 
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

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 changes to 
the FTR do not impose recordkeeping or information collection 
requirements, or the collection of information from offerors, 
contractors, or members of the public that require the approval of the 
Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501, 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.

    Dated: October 31, 2002.
Stephen A. Perry,
Administrator of General Services.


    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701-
5709, GSA amends 41 CFR chapter 301 as set forth below:

CHAPTER 301--TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY) TRAVEL ALLOWANCES

    1. Amend the table in appendix A to chapter 301 as follows:
    a. Under the State of Indiana, city of Indianapolis, including 
Marion County and Fort Benjamin Harrison, amend the maximum lodging 
amount by removing ``70'' and adding ``83'' in its place; and amend the 
maximum per diem rate by removing ``116'' and adding ``129'' in its 
place;
    b. Under the State of Kansas, cities of Kansas City/Overland Park, 
including Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, amend the maximum lodging 
amount by removing ``85'' and adding ``84'' in its place; and amend the 
maximum per diem rate by removing ``127'' and adding ``126'' in its 
place;
    c. Under the State of Minnesota, cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, 
including Hennepin County and Ft. Snelling Military Reservation and 
Navy Astronautics Group (Detachment BRAVO), and Ramsey County, amend 
the maximum lodging amount by removing ``95'' and adding ``110'' in its 
place; and amend the maximum per diem rate by removing ``145'' and 
adding ``160'' in its place;
    d. Under the State of Missouri, city of Kansas City, including 
Jackson and Clay Counties and Kansas City International Airport, amend 
the maximum lodging amount by removing ``85'' and adding ``84'' in its 
place; and amend the maximum per diem rate by removing ``131'' and 
adding ``130'' in its place;
    e. Under the State of Missouri, city of Platte, including Platte 
County (except Kansas City International Airport), amend the maximum 
lodging amount by removing ``61'' and adding ``84'' in its place; and 
amend the maximum per diem rate by removing ``99'' and adding ``122'' 
in its place;
    f. Amend the entry under the State of Pennsylvania, cities of King 
of Prussia/Ft. Washington/Bala Cynwyd, including Montgomery County, by 
removing the two rows of season rates and adding ``124'' under maximum 
lodging amount; ``46'' under M&IE rate; and ``170'' under maximum per 
diem rate; and

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    g. Under the State of Pennsylvania, city of Philadelphia, including 
Philadelphia County, amend the maximum lodging amount by removing 
``118'' and adding ``124'' in its place; and amend the maximum per diem 
rate by removing ``168'' and adding ``174'' in its place.
    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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[FR Doc. 02-28917 Filed 11-15-02; 8:45 am]
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