[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 204 (Monday, October 22, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64430-64431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25945]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Parts 300-3, 301-2, 301-10, 301-11, 301-52, 301-70 and 301-
71

[FTR Amendment 2012-01; FTR Case 2011-301; Docket 2011-0018, Sequence 
1]
RIN 3090-AJ11


Federal Travel Regulation; Per Diem, Miscellaneous Amendments

AGENCY: Office of Government-wide Policy, General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: GSA has adopted as final, an interim rule amending the Federal 
Travel Regulation (FTR) by changing, updating, and clarifying various 
provisions regarding temporary duty (TDY) travel. These changes include 
adjusting the definition of incidental expenses; clarifying necessary 
deduction amounts from the meals and incidental expense (M&IE) 
reimbursement on travel days; extending agencies the authority to issue 
blanket actual expense approval for TDY travel during Presidentially-
Declared Disasters; and updating other miscellaneous provisions.

DATES:  Effective Date: October 22, 2012.

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 Mr. Cy Greenidge, Program Analyst, 
Office of Government-wide Policy, at (202) 219-2349. Please cite FTR 
Amendment 2011-03; FTR Case 2011-301.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    GSA reviewed the FTR for accuracy and currency and is consequently 
publishing this amendment to update certain sections in Chapters 300 
and 301 that pertain to definitions, web addresses, meal deductions, 
miscellaneous expenses, and other travel-related clarifications and 
updates. This amendment also adds a section that permits agencies to 
issue blanket actual expense authorizations for any employee who 
performs TDY travel in an area subject to a Presidentially-Declared 
Disaster.
    Accordingly, this final rule amends the FTR by:
    1. Section 300-3.1--Revising the term ``Incidental expenses'' under 
the definition for ``Per diem allowance.'' These changes permit 
reimbursement of fees and tips, exclude mailing costs associated with 
filing travel vouchers and charge card bill payments, and remove the 
current transportation reimbursement as this expense is reimbursable 
via separate provisions in FTR part 301-10.
    2. Section 301-2.5--Referencing the new blanket actual expense 
authorization pursuant to 301-70.201.
    3. Section 301-10.421--Updating the heading to include valet 
parking attendants.
    4. Section 301-11.6--Updating regulatory references and web address 
information in the table pertaining to maximum per diem rates and 
actual expense rates.
    5. Section 301-11.7--Changing the term ``lodging location'' to 
``lodging facility'' in determining maximum per diem reimbursement 
rates.
    6. Section 301-11.18--Indicating that for Government-provided meals 
on travel days, the entire allocated meal amount must be deducted from 
the decreased 75 percent rate.
    7. Section 301-11.26--Revising to focus on how to request a review 
of a location's per diem rate.
    8. Section 301-11.29--Updating the web address for state tax 
exemption information.
    9. Section 301-11.30--Referencing the new blanket actual expense 
authorization pursuant to 301-70.201.
    10. Section 301-11.300--Revising ``natural disasters'' to read 
``natural or manmade disasters'' and adding Presidentially-Declared 
Disasters to the list of special events warranting actual expense 
reimbursement.
    11. Section 301-11.301--Referencing the new blanket actual expense 
authorization pursuant to 301-70.201.
    12. Section 301-11.302--Referencing the new blanket actual expense 
authorization pursuant to 301-70.201.
    13. Section 301-52.4--Removing the reference to a ``fixed reduced 
per diem allowance.''
    14. Section 301-70.200--Referencing the new blanket actual expense 
authorization pursuant to 301-70.201.
    15. Section 301-70.201--Adding a new section which gives agencies 
the authority to issue a blanket authorization for actual expense 
reimbursement in the event of a Presidentially-Declared Disaster.
    16. Section 301-71.105--Referencing the new blanket actual expense 
authorization pursuant to 301-70.201.

B. Summary of Comments Received

    GSA received no comments on the interim rule published in the 
Federal Register on September 7, 2011 (76 FR 55273).

C. Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563

    Executive Orders (E.O.s) 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). E.O. 
13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, 
of reducing costs, of

[[Page 64431]]

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.

D. 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., because the 
revisions are not considered substantive. 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. However, this final rule is 
being published to provide transparency in the promulgation of Federal 
policies.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the 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 (OMB) under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

F. 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 300-3, 301-2, 301-10, 301-11, 301-
52, 301-70 and 301-71

    Government employees, Travel and per diem expenses, Administrative 
practices and procedures.

    Dated: July 5, 2012.
Dan Tangherlini,
Acting Administrator of General Services.

Interim Rule Adopted as Final Without Changes

    Accordingly, the interim rule amending 41 CFR Parts 300-3, 301-2, 
301-10, 301-11, 301-52, 301-70, and 301-71, which was published in the 
Federal Register at 76 FR 55273 on September 7, 2011, is adopted as a 
final rule with no changes.

[FR Doc. 2012-25945 Filed 10-19-12; 8:45 am]
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