Federal Travel Regulation; Travel and Relocation Expenses Test Programs

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 300-80

RIN 3090-AG88

[FTR Amendment______1998 Edition]

Federal Travel Regulation; Travel and Relocation Expenses Test

Programs

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing to

amend the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) to add authority to implement

sections of the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 (Pub. L.

105-264, October 19, 1998), which authorizes Federal agencies to

conduct travel and relocation expenses test programs when determined by

the Administrator of General Services to be in the interest of the

Government. This change will permit agencies to test new and innovative

methods of reimbursing travel and relocation expenses without seeking a

waiver of current rules or authorizing legislation. It will also assist

the Government to determine whether such innovations provide

advantageous and effective travel and transportation costs and

processes.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Ms. Sharon Kiser,

Regulatory Secretariat (MVR), Office of Governmentwide Policy, General

Services Administration, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405. E-

mail comments may be sent to RIN.3090-AG[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Harte, Travel Team Leader, Travel

and Transportation Management Policy Division (MTT), telephone 202-501-

0483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 19, 1998, the President signed

into law the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 (the Act)

(Pub. L. 105-264). This proposed change will implement the provisions

of the Act authorizing travel and relocation expenses test programs

designed to enhance cost savings or other efficiencies that may accrue

to the Government.

A. Executive Order 12866

GSA has determined that this proposed rule is not a significant

regulatory action for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 of

September 30, 1993.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

This proposed rule is not required to be published in the Federal

Register for notice and comment; therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility

Act does not apply.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the proposed

rule does not impose recordkeeping or information collection

requirements, or the collection of information from offerors,

contractors, or members of the public which require the approval of the

Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 501 et seq.

D. Small Business Regulatory Reform Act

This proposed 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, Travel and transportation expenses.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, it is proposed that 41

CFR part 300-80 be added to read as follows:

PART 300-80--TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES TEST PROGRAMS

Sec.

300-80.1 What is a travel and relocation expenses test program?

300-80.2 Who may authorize such test programs?

300-80.3 What must be done to apply for test program authority?

300-80.4 How many test programs may be authorized by GSA throughout

the Government?

300-80.5 What factors will GSA consider in approving a request for

a travel or relocation expenses test program?

300-80.6 May the same agency be authorized to test travel and

relocation expenses programs at the same time?

300-80.7 What limits are there to test programs?

300-80.8 What is the maximum duration of test programs?

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

300-80.10 When does the authority of GSA to authorize test programs

expire?

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707, 5710, 5738, and 5739.

Sec. 300-80.1 What is a travel and relocation expenses test program?

It is a program to permit agencies to test new and innovative

methods of reimbursing travel and relocation expenses without seeking a

waiver of current rules or authorizing legislation.

Sec. 300-80.2 Who may authorize such test programs?

Only the Administrator of General Services may authorize an agency

to conduct such tests when the Administrator determines such tests to

be in the interest of the government.

Sec. 300-80.3 What must be done to apply for test program authority?

The head of the agency or designee must design the test program to

enhance cost savings or other efficiencies to the Government and submit

in writing to the Administrator of General Services (Attention: MTT),

1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405:

(a) An explanation of the test program;

(b) Specific provisions of the FTR to be tested (travel and/or

relocation);

(c) An analysis of the expected costs and benefits; and

(d) A set of criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the

program.

Sec. 300-80.4 How many test programs may be authorized by GSA

throughout the Government?

No more than 10 travel expense test programs and 10 relocation

expense test programs may be conducted at the same time.

Sec. 300-80.5 What factors will GSA consider in approving a request

for a travel or relocation expenses test program?

The following factors will be considered:

(a) Potential savings to the Government;

(b) Applicability of results to other agencies;

(c) Feasibility of successful implementation;

(d) Number of tests, if any, already authorized to the same

activity;

(e) Whether the request meets the requirements of Sec. 300-80.3;

(f) Other agency requests under consideration at the time of

submission; and

(g) Uniqueness of proposed test.

Sec. 300-80.6 May the same agency be authorized to test travel and

relocation expenses programs at the same time?

Yes, if authorized, both test programs may be conducted by the same

agency at the same time.

Sec. 300-80.7 What limits are there to test programs?

None. When authorized by the Administrator of General Services, the

agency may pay any necessary travel or relocation expenses in lieu of

payments authorized or required under chapters 301 and 302 of this

title.

[[Page 6591]]

Sec. 300-80.8 What is the maximum duration of test programs?

Each test program may be continued for a period of up to 24 months

from the date the test is authorized to begin.

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

Two reports are required:

(a) The Administrator of General Services must submit a copy of an

approved test program to Congress at least 30 days before the effective

start date of the authorized test program.

(b) The agency authorized to conduct the test program must submit a

report on the results of the test program to the Administrator of

General Services and to Congress within 3 months after completion of

the program.

Sec. 300-80.10 When does the authority of GSA to authorize test

programs expire?

The authority to conduct test programs expires on October 20, 2005.

Dated: January 26, 1999.

G. Martin Wagner,

Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy.

[FR Doc. 99-3222 Filed 2-9-99; 8:45 am]

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