[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20731]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 24, 1994]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
41 CFR Part 301-8
[FTR Amendment 38]
RIN 3090-AF54
Federal Travel Regulation; Reimbursement of Higher Actual
Subsistence Expenses in Special or Unusual Circumstances
AGENCY: Federal Supply Service, GSA.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This final rule removes the October 1, 1994 expiration date
applicable to authority of 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
maximum per diem rate prescribed in the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR)
(41 CFR chapters 301-304) 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. This action will permit the Administrator of General
Services to continue to consider agency requests for a higher actual
subsistence expense reimbursement rate for a CONUS location where
special or unusual circumstances result in an extreme increase in
subsistence costs for a temporary period.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is effective October 1, 1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry A. Tucker, Transportation
Management Division (FBX), Washington, DC 20406, telephone 703-305-
5745.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The General Services Administration (GSA)
issued FTR Amendment 7 (55 FR 2379, Jan. 24, 1990) to accommodate
requests from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for establishment
of a higher maximum daily rate for reimbursement of actual subsistence
expenses in a Presidentially declared disaster area. This change was
prompted by the devastation Hurricane Hugo inflicted upon a broad area
surrounding Charleston, SC in September 1989, resulting in a severe
shortage of affordable lodging for Federal emergency personnel
performing temporary duty there. GSA expanded the authority in FTR
Amendment 19 (56 FR 37478, Aug. 7, 1991) to accommodate requests from
an agency head for establishment of a higher actual subsistence expense
reimbursement rate for a location within the continental United States
where special or unusual circumstances result in an extreme increase in
subsistence costs for a temporary period.
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.
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: U.S.C. 5701-5709; E.O. 11609, 36 FR 13747, 3 CFR,
1971-1975 Comp., p. 586.
2. Section 301-8.3 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as
follows:
Sec. 301-8.3 Maximum daily rates and reimbursement limitations.
* * * * *
(c) Travel to an area within CONUS where special or unusual
circumstances result in an extreme increase in subsistence costs for a
temporary period--(1) Authority to establish a higher actual
subsistence expense reimbursement rate. The Administrator of General
Services may establish an appropriate maximum daily rate for
reimbursement of actual subsistence expenses not to exceed 300 percent
of the maximum per diem rate prescribed in Sec. 301-7.3(a) of this
chapter when the following conditions are met:
(i) Travel is to an area within CONUS where special or unusual
circumstances result in an extreme increase in subsistence costs for a
temporary period;
(ii) The head of an agency submits a request, as specified in
paragraph (c)(3) of this section, for establishment of a maximum daily
rate above the maximum rate prescribed in paragraph (a) of this
section; and
(iii) The justification supporting the request warrants
establishment of a higher rate.
(2) Application and limitations. Such higher established rate shall
apply for all official travel to the area, and will be effective for a
period not to exceed 30 days. When the Administrator establishes a
higher actual subsistence expense rate, the limitation in paragraph
(b)(1) of this section shall not apply.
(3) Rate requests. A request for a higher actual subsistence
expense reimbursement rate, with the exception of a request for travel
to a Presidentially declared disaster area, shall be submitted at least
30 days in advance of the beginning of the recommended effective period
unless otherwise adequately justified. The request shall be submitted
in writing to the Administrator of General Services, Washington, DC
20405, and must contain the following information:
(i) A specification of the geographic area encompassed;
(ii) If the area is a Presidentially declared disaster area, a copy
of the Presidential disaster declaration;
(iii) A recommended maximum daily rate not to exceed 300 percent of
the maximum per diem rate prescribed for the area under Sec. 301-7.3;
(iv) A description of the specific circumstances which justify the
establishment of the recommended rate;
(v) An estimate of the cost impact of establishing a maximum daily
rate for subsistence expenses above the maximum rate prescribed in
paragraph (a) of this section; and
(vi) A recommended time period for effectiveness of the maximum
daily rate requested to be established under this paragraph.
(4) Extensions. The Administrator may extend the period of
effectiveness in increments of up to 30 days upon the request of the
head of the agency originally requesting establishment of the higher
rate.
* * * * *
Dated: August 15, 1994.
Julia M. Stasch,
Acting Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 94-20731 Filed 8-23-94; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 6820-24-F
