Federal Travel Regulation (FTR); Lodging Reimbursement, 63844-63845 [2011-26576]

Agencies

• General Services Administration

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 199 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63844-63845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26576]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 301-11

[FTR Amendment 2011-05; FTR Case 2011-309; Docket Number 2011-0024, 
Sequence 1]
RIN 3090-AJ22


Federal Travel Regulation (FTR); Lodging Reimbursement

AGENCY: General Services Administration.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) is amending the 
Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) regarding reimbursement of lodging per 
diem expenses while on temporary duty travel (TDY). This final rule 
specifically states GSA's policy in regards to reimbursement for 
personally-owned residence and personally-owned recreational vehicle 
expenses while on TDY.

DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective October 14, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), 
1275 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20417, (202) 501-4755, for 
information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For 
clarification of content, contact Ms. Cheryl D. McClain, Office of 
Governmentwide Policy, at (202) 208-4334 or e-mail at 
cheryl.mcclain@gsa.gov. Please cite FTR Amendment 2011-05; FTR case 
2011-309.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5707, the Administrator of General Services is 
authorized to prescribe necessary regulations to implement laws 
regarding reimbursement for Federal employees who travel in the 
performance of official business away from their official stations. The 
overall implementing authority is the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), 
codified in Title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Chapters 
300-304 (41 CFR chapters 300-304).
    GSA is amending the FTR by revising section 301-11.12. This section 
contains language regarding reimbursement to travelers based upon the 
type of lodging they select while on temporary duty travel (TDY). 
Specifically, this final rule expressly states GSA's policy that 
agencies are not authorized to reimburse the lodging portion of per 
diem to travelers who purchase property, including recreational 
vehicles and campers, for lodging purposes in conjunction with TDY. In 
addition, this final rule amends GSA's policy that agencies are not 
authorized to reimburse the lodging portion of per diem to those who 
lodge at their personal residences while on TDY.

B. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility. 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 rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. This final rule is 
also exempt from the Regulatory Flexibility Act per 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2) 
because it applies to agency management or personnel.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the final 
changes to the FTR 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 to agency management and personnel.

[[Page 63845]]

List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 301-11

    Government employees, travel and transportation expenses.

    Dated: September 30, 2011.
Martha Johnson,
Administrator of General Services.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701-
5709, GSA amends 41 CFR part 301-11, as set forth below:

PART 301-11--PER DIEM EXPENSES

0
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-11 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 5707.


0
2. Revise Sec.  301-11.12 to read as follows:


Sec.  301-11.12  How does the type of lodging I select affect my 
reimbursement?

    (a) Your agency will reimburse you for different types of lodging 
as follows:
    (1) Conventional lodgings (hotel/motel, boarding house, etc.). You 
will be reimbursed the single occupancy rate.
    (2) Government quarters. You will be reimbursed, as a lodging 
expense, the fee or service charge you pay for use of the quarters.
    (3) Lodging with friend(s) or relative(s) (with or without charge). 
You may be reimbursed for additional costs your host incurs in 
accommodating you only if you are able to substantiate the costs and 
your agency determines them to be reasonable. You will not be 
reimbursed the cost of comparable conventional lodging in the area or a 
flat ``token'' amount.
    (4) Nonconventional lodging. You may be reimbursed the cost of 
other types of lodging when there are no conventional lodging 
facilities in the area (e.g., in remote areas) or when conventional 
facilities are in short supply because of an influx of attendees at a 
special event (e.g., World's Fair or international sporting event). 
Such lodging includes college dormitories or similar facilities or 
rooms not offered commercially but made available to the public by area 
residents in their homes.
    (5) Recreational vehicle (trailer/camper). You may be reimbursed 
for expenses (parking fees, fees for connection, use, and disconnection 
of utilities, electricity, gas, water and sewage, bath or shower fees, 
and dumping fees) which may be considered as a lodging cost.
    (b) Your agency will not reimburse you for:
    (1) Personally-owned residence. You will not be reimbursed for any 
lodging expenses for staying at your personally-owned residence or for 
any real estate expenses associated with the purchase or sale of a 
personal residence at the TDY location, except in conjunction with an 
authorized relocation pursuant to Chapter 302 of this Title.
    (2) Personally-owned Recreational vehicle (trailer/camper). You 
will not be reimbursed any expenses associated with the purchase, sale 
or payment of a recreational vehicle or camper at the TDY location.

[FR Doc. 2011-26576 Filed 10-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-P