[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 178 (Friday, September 15, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63532-63533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20050]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Chapter 302

[Notice-MA-2023-08; Docket No. 2023-0002; Sequence No. 31]


Federal Travel Regulation (FTR); Relocation Allowances--Waiver of 
Certain Provisions for Official Relocation Travel to Locations in 
Florida and South Carolina Impacted by Hurricane Idalia

AGENCY: Office of Government-wide Policy (OGP), General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Notification of GSA Bulletin FTR 23-08.

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SUMMARY: GSA Bulletin FTR 23-08, Waiver of certain Federal Travel 
Regulation (FTR) provisions for official relocation travel to locations 
in Florida and South Carolina impacted by Hurricane Idalia, informs 
Federal agencies that certain provisions of the FTR governing official 
relocation travel are temporarily waived for Florida and South Carolina 
locations impacted by Hurricane Idalia. As a result of the storm damage 
caused by Hurricane Idalia, agencies should consider delaying all non-
essential relocations to the affected areas given the statutory 120-day 
maximum for payment of temporary quarters subsistence expenses (TQSE). 
Due to the lasting effects of the storm damage to these affected areas, 
finding lodging facilities and/or adequate meals may be difficult, and 
distance involved may be great, resulting in increased cost for 
relocation subsistence expenses.

DATES: Applicability date: The notification is retroactively applicable 
for official relocation travel impacted by Hurricane Idalia that is/was 
performed on or after the incident period start dates: (a) August 27, 
2023, based on Presidential Disaster Declaration EM-3596-FL dated 
August 28, 2023, to designated areas in Florida, (b) August 27, 2023, 
based on Presidential Disaster Declaration DR-4734-FL dated August 31, 
2023, to designated areas in Florida, and (c) August 29, 2023, based on 
Presidential Disaster Declaration EM-3597-SC dated August 31, 2023, to 
designated areas in South Carolina. The FTR Bulletin expires 180 days 
from the respective applicability dates, unless extended or rescinded 
by this office.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Rick Miller, Senior Policy 
Analyst, Office of Government-wide Policy, Office of Asset and 
Transportation Management, at 202-501-3822 or by email at 
[email protected]. Please cite Notice of GSA Bulletin FTR 23-08.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Federal agencies authorize relocation entitlements to those 
individuals listed at FTR Sec.  302-1.1 and those assigned under the 
Government Employees Training Act (GETA) (5 U.S.C. Chapter 41) which 
must be used within one year. Some agencies will authorize TQSE and a 
Househunting trip (HHT) to assist employees with temporary expenses 
incurred in connection with relocating to a new duty station. The FTR 
limits where temporary lodging may occur, how long employees may

[[Page 63533]]

receive assistance, and what per diem rates are paid. Hurricane Idalia 
has affected locations in Florida and South Carolina, which has 
resulted in various travel-related disruptions to relocating employees. 
Accordingly, this GSA FTR Bulletin allows agencies to determine whether 
to implement waivers of time limits established by the FTR for 
completion of all aspects of relocation, permissible locations of 
temporary quarters, and per diem rates for HHTs and TQSE.
    GSA Bulletin FTR 23-08 can be viewed at https://www.gsa.gov/ftrbulletins.

Krystal J. Brumfield,
Associate Administrator, Office of Government-wide Policy.
[FR Doc. 2023-20050 Filed 9-14-23; 8:45 am]
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