[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 199 (Monday, October 17, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60221-60222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20690]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Parts 301-11 and 301-74

[FTR Amendment 2005-06; FTR Case 2005-306]
RIN 3090-AI20


Federal Travel Regulation; Per Diem Expenses (Meals and 
Incidental Expense Allowance) - 2005

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), by revising the meals and incidental 
expense (MI&E) allowance rates for the deduction of meals furnished by 
the Government or meals that are included in a registration fee, for 
travel within the Continental United States (CONUS). The FTR and any 
corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA's website at http://www.gsa.gov/ftr.

DATES: Effective Date: October 1, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Regulatory Secretariat (VIR), Room 
4035, GS Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 208-7312, for 
information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For 
clarification of content, contact Ms. Umeki Gray Thorne, Office of 
Governmentwide Policy, Travel and Transportation Policy Formulation, at 
(202) 208-7636. Please cite FTR Amendment 2005-06; FTR case 2005-306.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    In July 2005 a study was conducted to evaluate the current cost of 
meals in non-standard and standard CONUS areas. The previous study of 
this kind was conducted in 1998. As a result of the 2005 study's 
findings, a new meals and incidental expense rate was approved. These 
new meal rates and new meal breakdown allowances for meals furnished by 
the Government or meals that are included in a registration fee for 
CONUS travel are provided under this amendment.

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.

[[Page 60222]]

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 Parts 301-11 and 301-74

    Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses.

    Dated: October 4, 2005.
Stephen A. Perry,
Administrator of General Services.

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701-5709, 
GSA amends 41 CFR parts 301-11 and 301-74 as set forth below:

PART 301-11--PER DIEM EXPENSES

0
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-11 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707.
0
2. Revise section 301-11.18 to read as follows:


Sec.  301-11.18  What M&IE rate will I receive if a meal(s) is 
furnished by the Government or is included in the registration fee?

    Your M&IE rate must be adjusted for a meal(s) furnished to you by 
the Government (including meals furnished under the authority of Part 
304 of this Title) by deducting the appropriate amount shown in the 
chart in this section for travel within CONUS and the chart in Appendix 
B of this Chapter for meal deductions for OCONUS and foreign travel. 
The total amount of deductions made will not cause you to receive less 
than the amount allowed for incidental expenses.

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            Total M&IE                  $39          $44          $49          $54          $59          $64
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Breakfast.........................            7            8            9           10           11           12
Lunch.............................           11           12           13           15           16           18
Dinner............................           18           21           24           26           29           31
Incidentals.......................            3            3            3            3            3            3
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PART 301-74--CONFERENCE PLANNING

0
3. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-74 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707.


Sec.  301-74.21  What is the applicable M&IE rate when meals or light 
refreshments are furnished by the Government or are included in the 
registration fee?

0
4. Amend Sec.  301-74.21 by revising the section heading as set forth 
above and removing from the introductory paragraph of the response ``at 
nominal or no cost''.
[FR Doc. 05-20690 Filed 10-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-S