E7-1443. Federal Travel Regulation; FTR Case 2006-304, Privately Owned Automobile Mileage Reimbursement

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), by amending the mileage reimbursement rate for use of a privately owned automobile (POA) on official travel to reflect current costs of operation as determined in cost studies conducted by the General Services Administration (GSA). The governing regulation is revised to increase the mileage allowance for the cost of operating a privately owned automobile from $0.445 to $0.485 per mile. The FTR and any corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA’s website at http://www.gsa.gov/​ftr.

DATES:

Effective Date: February 1, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

The Regulatory Secretariat (VIR), Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC, 20405, [phone], for information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of content, contact Ms. Umeki G. Thorne, Program Analyst, Office of Governmentwide Policy, Travel Management Policy, at [phone]. Please cite FTR Amendment 2007-01; FTR case 2006-304.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5707(b), the Administrator of General Services has the responsibility to establish the privately owned vehicle (POV) mileage reimbursement rates. Separate rates are set for airplanes, automobiles (including trucks), and motorcycles. In order to set these rates, GSA is required to conduct periodic investigations, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation, and representatives of Government employee organizations, of the cost of travel and the operation of POVs to employees while engaged on official business. As required, GSA has conducted an investigation of the costs of operating a POA and is reporting the cost per mile determination. The results of the investigation have been reported to Congress and a copy of the report appears as an attachment to this document. The report is being published to comply with the requirements of the law. GSA’s cost studies show the Administrator of General Services has determined the per mile operating costs of $0.485 for automobiles. As provided in 5 U.S.C. 5704(a)(1), the automobile reimbursement rate cannot exceed the single standard mileage rate established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS has announced a new single standard mileage rate for automobiles of $0.485 per mile effective January 1, 2007. The cost of operating a privately owned airplane and motorcycle remain unchanged.

B. 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.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

This final rule is not required to be published in the Federal Register for notice and comment as per the exemption specified in 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2); 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 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.

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 Part 301-10

• Government employees
• Travel and transportation expenses

Dated: January 18, 2007

Lurita Doan,

Administrator of General Services.

For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701-5709, GSA amends 41 CFR part 301-10 as set forth below:

PART 301-10—TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES

1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-10 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707, 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 49 U.S.C. 40118, Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-126, “Improving the Management and Use of Government Aircraft.” Revised May 22, 1992.

2. Revise section 301-10.303, privately owned automobile entry in the table, to read as follows:

§ 301-10.303

What am I reimbursed when use of a POV is determined by my agency to be advantageous to the Government?

For use of a	Your reimbursement is
* * * * *	* * * * *
Privately owned automobile	1 $0.485
* * * * *	* * * * *
1 Per mile.

Attachment to Preamble—Report To Congress On The Costs Of Operating Privately Owned Vehicles

5 U.S.C. 5707(b)(1)(A) requires that the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and representatives of Government employee organizations, conduct periodic investigations of the cost of travel and operation of privately owned vehicles (POVs) (airplanes, automobiles, and motorcycles) to Government employees while on official travel, and report the results to the Congress at least once a year. 5 U.S.C. 5707(b)(2)(B) further requires that the Administrator of General Services determine the average, actual cost per mile for the use of each type of POV based on the results of the cost investigation. Such figures must be reported to the Congress within 5 working days after the cost determination has been made in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 5707(b)(2)(C).

Pursuant to the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 5707(b)(1)(A), the General Services Administration (GSA), in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation, and representatives of Government employee organizations, conducted an investigation of the cost of operating a privately owned automobile (POA). As provided in 5 U.S.C. 5704(a)(1), the automobile reimbursement rate cannot exceed the single standard mileage rate established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS has announced a new single standard mileage rate for POAs of $0.485 effective January 1, 2007. As required, GSA is reporting the results of the investigation and the cost per mile determination. Based on cost studies conducted by GSA, I have determined the per-mile operating costs of a POA to be $0.485 for POAs. Reimbursement for the use of a privately owned airplane and privately owned motorcycle remains unchanged.

This report to Congress on the cost of operating POAs will be published in the Federal Register.