[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58329-58330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23887]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 300-80

[FTR Amendment 2010-03; FTR Case 2010-304; Docket 2010-0016; Sequence 
1]
RIN 3090-ZA01


Federal Travel Regulation (FTR); Relocation Expenses Test 
Programs

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule updates the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) to 
reflect statutory changes that extended the authority for relocation 
expenses test programs for Federal employees, made by the passage of 
Public Law 111-112 on November 30, 2009.

DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective September 24, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), 
Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-4755, for 
information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For 
clarification of content, contact Mr. Henry Maury, Office of 
Governmentwide Policy (M), Office of Travel, Transportation and Asset 
Management (MT), General Services Administration at (202) 208-7928 or 
e-

[[Page 58330]]

mail at [email protected]. Please cite FTR Amendment 2010-03; FTR 
case 2010-304.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    On October 19, 1998, the President signed into law the Travel and 
Transportation Reform Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-264). Subsection 5(b) of 
Public Law 105-264, codified at 5 U.S.C. 5739, permits the 
Administrator of General Services to authorize Federal agencies to test 
new and innovative methods of reimbursing relocation expenses without 
seeking authorizing legislation or a waiver of regulations. This 
statutory provision is implemented in part 300-80 the Federal Travel 
Regulation (FTR) (41 CFR part 300-80), ``Relocation Expenses Test 
Programs.'' Public Law 109-325 extended the test program authority 
through October 19, 2009. Public Law 111-112, enacted on November 30, 
2009, extended the test program authority indefinitely.

B. Changes to the Current FTR

    This final rule:
     Revises section 300-80.4 to update the maximum number of 
test programs that may be simultaneously running from 10 to 12;
     Revises section 300-80.6 to clarify test programs are 
limited to making payments in lieu of the relocation reimbursements 
contained in 5 U.S.C. chapter 57, subchapter II;
     Revises section 300-80.7 to update the duration of test 
programs and possible extensions from 24 months to four years;
     Redesignates current section 300-80.8 as section 300-80.9 
and removes current section 300-80.9 because it is no longer valid;
     Adds new section 300-80.8 to add instructions for agencies 
wishing to apply for a test program extension; and
     Revises newly designated section 300-80.9 to clarify the 
reporting requirements for agencies conducting test programs.

C. Executive Order 12866

    This regulation is excepted from the definition of ``regulation'' 
or ``rule'' under Section 3(d)(3) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory 
Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993 and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under Section 6(b) of that Executive Order.

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the 
revisions are not considered substantive. This final rule is also 
exempt from the Regulatory Flexibility Act per 5 U.S.C. 553 (a)(2) 
because it applies to agency management. However, this final rule is 
being published to provide transparency in the promulgation of federal 
policies.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to 
the Federal Travel Regulation 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.

F. 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 Part 300-80

    Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Travel and transportation expenses.

    Dated: July 16, 2010.
Martha Johnson,
Administrator of General Services.

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701-5739, 
GSA amends 41 CFR part 300-80 as set forth below:

PART 300-80--RELOCATION EXPENSES TEST PROGRAMS

0
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 300-80 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 5707, 5738, and 5739.


Sec.  300-80.4  [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  300-80.4 by removing ``10'' and adding ``12'' in its 
place.


Sec.  300-80.6  [Amended]

0
3. Amend Sec.  300.80-6 by--
0
a. Removing the word ``None.''; and
0
b. Removing ``Chapter 302 of this title.'' and adding ``5 U.S.C. 
chapter 57, subchapter II.'' in its place.
0
4. Revise Sec.  300-80.7 to read as follows:


Sec.  300-80.7  How long is the duration of test programs?

    The duration of a test program is up to four years from the date of 
authorization unless terminated prior to that time by the Administrator 
of General Services. The agency conducting a test program may also 
terminate the test program at any time by providing written notice of 
the termination to the Administrator of General Services. The 
Administrator of General Services may grant test program extensions of 
up to an additional four years (see Sec.  300-80.8).


Sec.  300-80.9  [Removed]

0
5. Remove Sec.  300-80.9.


Sec.  300-80.8  [Redesignated as Sec.  300-80.9]

0
6. Redesignate Sec.  300-80.8 as Sec.  300-80.9.

0
7. Add a new Sec.  300-80.8 to read as follows:


Sec.  300-80.8  What must we do to apply for a test program extension?

    The head of the agency or designee must submit a request to extend 
the test program to the Administrator of General Services (Attention: 
MTT), 1800 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20405, not later than 120 days 
prior to the expiration of the test period. The request for extension 
must contain the test program results to that date and clearly 
enumerate the benefits, qualitatively or quantitatively or both, of 
granting a test program extension and must specify the duration of time 
for which an extension is requested.

0
8. Amend newly redesignated Sec.  300-80.9 by--
0
a. Removing the introductory text;
0
b. Removing in paragraph (a), ``an approved test program'' and adding 
``any test program approved or extended'' in its place; and
0
c. Adding new paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  300-80.9  What reports are required for a test program?

* * * * *
    (c) All reports must include quantitative or qualitative 
assessments, or both, clearly evaluating the results of the test 
program and enumerating benefits and costs.

[FR Doc. 2010-23887 Filed 9-23-10; 8:45 am]
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