96-32713. Federal Travel Regulation; Repeal of Long-Distance Telephone Call Certification Requirement

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 249 (Thursday, December 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32713]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 301-6

[FTR Amendment 55]
RIN 3090-AG23


Federal Travel Regulation; Repeal of Long-Distance Telephone Call 
Certification Requirement

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) to 
remove the long-distance telephone call certification requirement. This 
amendment will reduce agency administrative costs by easing the 
processing of reimbursement claims.

DATES: This final rule is effective March 22, 1997, and applies for 
travel (including travel incident to a change of official station) 
performed on or after March 22, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert A. Clauson, Travel and Transportation Management Policy Division 
(MTT), Washington, DC 20405, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A multi-agency travel reinvention task force 
was organized in August 1994 under the auspices of the Joint Financial 
Management Improvement Program (JFMIP) to reengineer Federal travel 
rules and procedures. The task force developed 25 recommended travel 
management improvements published in a JFMIP report entited Improving 
Travel Management Governmentwide, dated December 1995. On September 23, 
1996, the President signed into law the Federal Employee Travel Reform 
Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-201), which included 8 legislative changes 
recommended by the JFMIP to improve travel and relocation.
    This amendment implements section 1721 of the Act which eliminates 
the requirement in 31 U.S.C. 1348(b) that the agency head certify each 
long-distance telephone call as necessary in the interest of the 
Government.
    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 301-6

    Government employees, Travel, Travel allowances, Travel and 
transportation expenses.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, 41 CFR part 301-6 is 
amended as follows:

PART 301-6--COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

    1. The authority citation for part 301-6 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707.


Sec. 301-6.4  [Amended]

    2. Section 301-6.4 is amended by removing the cite ``(31 U.S.C. 
1348(b))'' in paragraph (c), and by removing the reference ``Federal 
Information Resources Management Regulation (FIRMR) (41 CFR 201-21.600 
through 201-21.602)'' and adding in its place the reference ``Federal 
Property Management Regulations (FPMR), 41 CFR 101-35.201''.


Sec. 301-6.5  [Reserved]

    3. Section 301-6.5 is removed and reserved.

    Dated: November 27, 1996.
David J. Barram,
Acting Administrator of General Services.
[FR Doc. 96-32713 Filed 12-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-34-M