Federal Travel Regulation; Reimbursement of Higher Actual Subsistence Expenses in Special or Unusual Circumstances

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 301-8

[FTR Amdt. 66]

RIN 3090-AG41

Federal Travel Regulation; Reimbursement of Higher Actual

Subsistence Expenses in Special or Unusual Circumstances

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) (41

CFR chapters 301-304) to allow an agency to authorize or approve travel

up to 300 percent of the prescribed maximum per diem rate on an actual

subsistence expense basis under certain special or unusual

circumstances.

DATES: This final rule is effective May 1, 1997, and applies for travel

performed on or after May 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jane Groat, Office of Governmentwide

Policy (MTT), Washington, DC 20405, telephone (202) 501-1538.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final rule establishes a reimbursement

rate not to exceed 300 percent of the prescribed maximum per diem rate

for the actual and necessary expenses of official travel within CONUS.

For travel in foreign and nonforeign areas, maximum rates are set by

the Departments of State and Defense, respectively.

Further, this rule abolishes the requirements for the Administrator

of General Services to establish, at the request of the head of an

agency, a higher maximum daily rate for subsistence expenses not to

exceed 300 percent of the prescribed maximum per diem rate for official

travel to an area within the continental United States (CONUS) where

special or unusual circumstances result in an extreme increase in

subsistence costs for a temporary period.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has determined that this

rule is not a significant regulatory action for the purposes of

Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993. This final rule is not

required to be published in the Federal Register for notice and

comment. Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply. This

rule also is 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 301-8

Government employees, Travel, Travel allowances, Travel and

transportation expenses.

For the reasons set out in the preamble, 41 CFR part 301-8 is

amended to read as follows:

PART 301-8--REIMBURSEMENT OF ACTUAL SUBSISTENCE EXPENSES

1. The authority citation for part 301-8 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707.

Sec. 301-8.2 [Amended]

2. Section 301-8.2(b) is amended to remove the phrase ``150

percent'' where it appears and to replace it with the phrase ``300

percent'', and to revise the fourth sentence to read, ``If the travel

is to a location where Sec. 301-8.3(c) applies under special or unusual

circumstances, the authorizing agency shall determine an appropriate

limitation on the amount of reimbursement.''

Sec. 301-8.3 [Amended]

3. Section 301-8.3 is amended in paragraphs (a)(1) and (b)(1)(i) to

remove the phrase ``150 percent'' where it appears and to replace it

with the phrase ``300 percent''; by removing paragraph (c); by

redesignating paragraph (d) as (c); by amending newly redesignated

paragraph (c) to remove the phrase ``paragraphs (a) through (c) of this

section'' where it appears and to replace it with the phrase

``paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section''.

Sec. 301-8.3 [Amended]

4. Section 301-8.3(a)(2) is revised to read as follows:

(a) * * *

(1) * * *

(2) Travel outside CONUS. For travel outside CONUS, the maximum

daily rate for subsistence expenses shall not

[[Page 30280]]

exceed the greater of the amounts prescribed by the Departments of

Defense and State, as set forth in the Joint Federal Travel Regulation/

Joint Travel Regulation and the Foreign Affairs Manual, respectively,

for nonforeign and foreign areas.

Dated: May 27, 1997.

David J. Barram,

Acting Administrator of General Services.

[FR Doc. 97-14434 Filed 6-2-97; 8:45 am]

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