97-14434. Federal Travel Regulation; Reimbursement of Higher Actual Subsistence Expenses in Special or Unusual Circumstances  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 30279-30280]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-14434]
    
    
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    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]
    BILLING CODE 6820-34-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
5/1/1997
Published:
06/03/1997
Department:
General Services Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
97-14434
Dates:
This final rule is effective May 1, 1997, and applies for travel performed on or after May 1, 1997.
Pages:
30279-30280 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FTR Amdt. 66
RINs:
3090-AG41
PDF File:
97-14434.pdf
CFR: (2)
41 CFR 301-8.2
41 CFR 301-8.3