Federal Travel Regulation; Conference Planning-Prepayment of Registration Fee, 24597-24598 [06-3931]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 26, 2006 / Rules and Regulations § 301–13.3 What additional travel expenses may my agency pay under this part? GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION Your agency approving official may pay for any expenses deemed necessary by your agency to accommodate an employee with a special need including, but not limited to, the following expenses: * * * * * (e) Renting and/or transporting a wheelchair; 41 CFR Parts 301–51 and 301–74 (f) Premium-class accommodations when necessary to accommodate your special need, under Subpart B of Part 301–10 of this subchapter; and (g) Services of an attendant, when necessary, to accommodate your special need. Note to § 301–13.3(g): For limits on the amount that may be paid to an attendant, other than travel expenses, see 5 U.S.C. 3102 and guidance at https://www.opm.gov/disability/ mngrl6–01–B.asp. PART 301–70—INTERNAL POLICY AND PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS 5. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301–70 continues to read as follows: I Authority: Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 40 U.S.C. 121(c); Sec. 2, Pub. L. 105–264, 112 Stat. 2350 (5 U.S.C. 5701 note), Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A–126, ‘‘Improving the Management and Use of Government Aircraft.’’ Revised May 22, 1992. 6. Revise section 301–70.400 to read as follows: I § 301–70.400 How should we authorize and administer the payment of additional travel expenses for an employee with a disability or special need? hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with RULES BILLING CODE 6820–14–S VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:58 Apr 25, 2006 Jkt 208001 RIN 3090–AI23 Federal Travel Regulation; Conference Planning—Prepayment of Registration Fee Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services Administration (GSA). ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) by clarifying that advance payment of discounted conference fees may be treated as an allowable travel advance, and by adding a new section to allow for the reimbursement of the prepayment of ‘‘early bird’’ discounted registration fees to attend a conference or training seminar. This clarification is added to allow agencies to take advantage of discounted ‘‘early bird’’ registration discounts, thereby saving Government funds. The FTR and any corresponding documents may be accessed at GSA’s website at https://www.gsa.gov/ftr. EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is effective April 26, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Regulatory Secretariat, Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 208–7312, for information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of content, contact Umeki Thorne, Office of Governmentwide Policy, email umeki.thorne@gsa.gov or by telephone at (202) 208–7636. Please cite FTR Amendment 2006–02; FTR case 2006–302. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A. Background You should authorize and administer the payment to reasonably accommodate employee(s) with disabilities in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 701–796l) and 5 U.S.C. 3102 and Part 301–13 of this chapter. An employee with a special need should be treated the same as an employee with a disability. You must determine that additional travel expenses are necessary to accommodate the employee’s needs. [FR Doc. 06–3913 Filed 4–25–06; 8:45 am] [FTR Amendment 2006–02; FTR Case 2006– 302] When planning a conference, it is a general practice to offer discounted ‘‘early bird’’ registration fees, which are available in the months prior to the beginning of the conference. However, many travelers have expressed reluctance over taking advantage of such offers because of the belief that they cannot claim reimbursement until the conference is over, and they file their travel claims. To take advantage of such specials, agencies may authorize travelers to charge such fees to their individually billed Government sponsored travel cards. Accordingly, this final rule clarifies that authorized travelers are allowed to register early and claim reimbursement for the discounted registration fee as soon as PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 24597 their agencies have approved their attendance at the conference. This final rule also addresses the situations when the traveler fails to attend the conference and identifies the circumstances under which the traveler might have to repay the agency for the registration fee. B. Executive Order 12886 This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This final rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804. C. Regulatory Flexibility Act This final rule is not required to be published in the Federal Register for notice and comment; 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 (FTR) do 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 (OMB) 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 Parts 301–51 and 301–74 Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses. Dated: March 7, 2006. David L. Bibb, Acting Administrator for General Services. For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701–5709, the General Services Administration (GSA) amends 41 CFR parts 301–51 and 301–74 as set forth below: I PART 301–51—PAYING TRAVEL EXPENSES 1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301–51 is revised to read as follows: I Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707. Subpart A is issued under the authority of Sec. 2, Pub. L. 105—264, 112 Stat. 2350 (5 U.S.C. 5701 note); 40 U.S.C. 121(c). E:\FR\FM\26APR1.SGM 26APR1 24598 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 26, 2006 / Rules and Regulations § 301–51.200 [Amended] 2. Amend section 301–51.200, paragraph (b), column one, by adding ‘‘, advance payment of discounted conference registration fee’’ after ‘‘common carrier’’. I PART 301–74—CONFERENCE PLANNING 3. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301–74 continues to read as follows: I Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707. 4. Sections 301–74.25 and 301–74.26 are added to read as follows: I § 301–74.25 May we reimburse travelers for an advanced payment of a conference or training registration fee? Yes, you may reimburse travelers for an advanced discounted payment for a conference or training registration fee as soon as you have approved their travel to that event, and they submit a proper claim for the expenses incurred. § 301–74.26 What is the traveler required to do if he/she is unable to attend an event for which they were reimbursed for an advanced discounted payment of a conference or training registration fee? In all cases where a traveler is unable to attend an event for which a discounted registration fee was paid and reimbursed in advance of the event, the traveler must seek a refund of the registration fee and repay the agency with any refund received. If no refund is made, the agency must absorb the advanced payment if the traveler’s failure to attend the event was caused either by an agency decision or for reasons beyond the employee’s control that are acceptable to the agency, e.g., unforeseen illness or emergency. If no refund is made, and the traveler’s failure to attend the scheduled event is due to reasons deemed unexcusable by the agency, the traveler must repay the agency for the amount advanced. [FR Doc. 06–3931 Filed 4–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–14–S FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 hsrobinson on PROD1PC68 with RULES [DA 06–610; MB Docket No. 05–246, RM– 11263, RM–11309] Radio Broadcasting Services; Hallettsville, Meyersville, San Antonio, and Yoakum, TX Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 14:58 Apr 25, 2006 Jkt 208001 SUMMARY: In response to a Notice of Proposed Rule Making, this Report and Order allots Channel 261A to Meyersville, Texas, as a first competitive local aural transmission service. The coordinates for Channel 261A at Meyersville, Texas are 28–54– 58 NL and 97–19–37 WL, with a site restriction of 2.0 kilometers (1.2 miles) southwest of Meyersville, Texas. Further, this Report and Order reclassifies Station KCYY(FM), San Antonio, Texas, from Channel 262C to Channel 262C0, in order to accommodate the allotment of Channel 261A to Meyersville. The Report and Order also denies a counterproposal filed by LaGrange Broadcasting Corporation requesting that Channel 261A be substituted for Channel 260A, Station KTXM(FM), Hallettsville, Texas, and reallotted to Yoakum, Texas, as a second local aural transmission service. DATES: Effective May 1, 2006. Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. ADDRESSES: R. Barthen Gorman, Media Bureau, (202) 418–2180. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: This is a synopsis of the Commission’s Report and Order in MB Docket No. 05–246, adopted March 15, 2006, and released March 17, 2006. The full text of this Commission decision is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the FCC’s Reference Information Center at Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–A257, Washington, DC 20554. The document may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., Portals II, 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20554, telephone 1– 800–378–3160 or https:// www.BCPIWEB.com. The Commission will send a copy of this Report and Order in a report to be sent to Congress and the Government Accountability Office pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, see 5 U.S.C. 801(a)(1)(A). In addition, the Report and Order makes an editorial change in the existing FM Table of Allotments under Texas by replacing Channel 225C, San Antonio, with Channel 225C1, San Antonio. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73 Radio, Radio broadcasting. Part 73 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows: I PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST SERVICES 1. The authority citation for part 73 reads as follows: I Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 334, 336. § 73.202 [Amended] 2. Section 73.202(b), the Table of FM Allotments under Texas, is amended by adding Meyersville, Channel 261A; by removing Channel 262C and Channel 225C and adding Channel 262C0 and Channel 225C1 at San Antonio. I Federal Communications Commission. John A. Karousos, Assistant Chief, Audio Division, Media Bureau. [FR Doc. 06–3906 Filed 4–25–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 47 CFR Part 73 [DA 06–728; MB Docket No. 05–31; RM– 11150] Radio Broadcasting Services; Paint Rock, TX Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This document grants a petition filed by Charles Crawford requesting the allotment of Channel 296C3 at Paint Rock, Texas, as the community’s first local aural transmission service. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. DATES: Effective May 15, 2006. ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rolanda F. Smith, Media Bureau, (202) 418–2180. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission’s Report and Order, MB Docket No. 05–31, adopted March 29, 2006, and released March 31, 2006. The full text of this Commission decision is available for inspection and copying during normal business hours in the Commission’s Reference Center 445 Twelfth Street, SW., Washington, DC 20554. The complete text of this decision may also be purchased from the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., 445 12th Street, SW., Room CY–B402, Washington, DC 20054, telephone 1–800–378–3160 or https:// www.BCPIWEB.com. The Commission will send a copy of this Report and E:\FR\FM\26APR1.SGM 26APR1

Agencies

General Services Administration

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 26, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24597-24598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3931]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Parts 301-51 and 301-74

[FTR Amendment 2006-02; FTR Case 2006-302]
RIN 3090-AI23


Federal Travel Regulation; Conference Planning--Prepayment of 
Registration Fee

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) by 
clarifying that advance payment of discounted conference fees may be 
treated as an allowable travel advance, and by adding a new section to 
allow for the reimbursement of the prepayment of ``early bird'' 
discounted registration fees to attend a conference or training 
seminar. This clarification is added to allow agencies to take 
advantage of discounted ``early bird'' registration discounts, thereby 
saving Government funds. The FTR and any corresponding documents may be 
accessed at GSA's website at https://www.gsa.gov/ftr.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is effective April 26, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Regulatory Secretariat, Room 4035, 
GS Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 208-7312, for information 
pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of 
content, contact Umeki Thorne, Office of Governmentwide Policy, email 
umeki.thorne@gsa.gov or by telephone at (202) 208-7636. Please cite FTR 
Amendment 2006-02; FTR case 2006-302.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    When planning a conference, it is a general practice to offer 
discounted ``early bird'' registration fees, which are available in the 
months prior to the beginning of the conference. However, many 
travelers have expressed reluctance over taking advantage of such 
offers because of the belief that they cannot claim reimbursement until 
the conference is over, and they file their travel claims. To take 
advantage of such specials, agencies may authorize travelers to charge 
such fees to their individually billed Government sponsored travel 
cards. Accordingly, this final rule clarifies that authorized travelers 
are allowed to register early and claim reimbursement for the 
discounted registration fee as soon as their agencies have approved 
their attendance at the conference. This final rule also addresses the 
situations when the traveler fails to attend the conference and 
identifies the circumstances under which the traveler might have to 
repay the agency for the registration fee.

B. Executive Order 12886

    This is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, was not 
subject to review under Section 6(b) of Executive Order 12866, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993. This final 
rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This final rule is not required to be published in the Federal 
Register for notice and comment; 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 (FTR) do 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 (OMB) 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 Parts 301-51 and 301-74

    Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses.

    Dated: March 7, 2006.
David L. Bibb,
Acting Administrator for General Services.

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701-5709, 
the General Services Administration (GSA) amends 41 CFR parts 301-51 
and 301-74 as set forth below:

PART 301-51--PAYING TRAVEL EXPENSES

0
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-51 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707. Subpart A is issued under the 
authority of Sec. 2, Pub. L. 105--264, 112 Stat. 2350 (5 U.S.C. 5701 
note); 40 U.S.C. 121(c).

[[Page 24598]]

Sec.  301-51.200  [Amended]

0
2. Amend section 301-51.200, paragraph (b), column one, by adding ``, 
advance payment of discounted conference registration fee'' after 
``common carrier''.

PART 301-74--CONFERENCE PLANNING

0
3. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-74 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707.
0
4. Sections 301-74.25 and 301-74.26 are added to read as follows:


Sec.  301-74.25  May we reimburse travelers for an advanced payment of 
a conference or training registration fee?

    Yes, you may reimburse travelers for an advanced discounted payment 
for a conference or training registration fee as soon as you have 
approved their travel to that event, and they submit a proper claim for 
the expenses incurred.


Sec.  301-74.26  What is the traveler required to do if he/she is 
unable to attend an event for which they were reimbursed for an 
advanced discounted payment of a conference or training registration 
fee?

    In all cases where a traveler is unable to attend an event for 
which a discounted registration fee was paid and reimbursed in advance 
of the event, the traveler must seek a refund of the registration fee 
and repay the agency with any refund received. If no refund is made, 
the agency must absorb the advanced payment if the traveler's failure 
to attend the event was caused either by an agency decision or for 
reasons beyond the employee's control that are acceptable to the 
agency, e.g., unforeseen illness or emergency. If no refund is made, 
and the traveler's failure to attend the scheduled event is due to 
reasons deemed unexcusable by the agency, the traveler must repay the 
agency for the amount advanced.
[FR Doc. 06-3931 Filed 4-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-S

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.