Federal travel: Payment of expenses in connection with death of employees or immediate family members,

[Federal Register: August 23, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 162)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 45890-45891]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr23au99-14]

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 303-70

[FTR Amendment 86]

RIN 3090-AH04

Federal Travel Regulation; Agency Requirements for Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death of Certain Employees

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) provisions pertaining to payment by the Government of expenses connected with the death of certain employees while performing official Government travel, and for transportation of the remains of a member of the employee's immediate family who dies while residing with the employee outside the continental United States (CONUS) or in transit thereto or therefrom. This amendment implements the authority provided in 5 U.S.C. 5742 to pay certain expenses in connection with escort of remains of certain employees. It also amends a CFR section heading to clarify that the regulation applies when a member of an employee's immediate family is in transit from as well as to the employee's duty station outside CONUS.

DATES: This final rule is effective August 23, 1999, and applies to payment of expenses in connection with the escort of remains of certain employees on or after August 23, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra Batton, Travel and Transportation Management Policy Division, at (202) 501-1538.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

   Public Law 105-277, October 21, 1998, amended 5 U.S.C. 5742 to allow for payment of travel expenses as follows:

   the travel expenses of not more than 2 persons to escort the remains of a deceased employee, if death occurred while the employee was in travel status away from his official station in the United States or while performing official duties outside the United States or in transit thereto or therefrom, from the place of death to the home or official station of such person, or such other place appropriate for interment as is determined by the head of the agency concerned.

2. 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 does not apply.

3. Executive Order 12866

   The General Services Administration (GSA) has determined that this final rule is not a significant regulatory action for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993.

4. Paperwork Reduction Act

   The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this final rule does 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. 501 et seq.

   [[Page 45891]]

5. 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 Part 303-70

   Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses.

   For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 41 CFR part 303-70 is amended as follows:

   PART 303-70--AGENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PAYMENT OF EXPENSES CONNECTED WITH THE DEATH OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES

   1. The authority citation for part 303-70 continues to read as follows:

      Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5721-5738; 5741-5742; E.O. 11609, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 586.

   2. Section 303-70.100 is revised to read as follows:

      Sec. 303-70.100 May we pay the travel expenses for an escort for the remains of a deceased employee?

      Yes, in accordance with Secs. 303-70.600 through 303-70.602.

   3. Section 303-70.403 is amended by revising the section heading to read as follows:

      Sec. 303-70.403 When a family member, residing with the employee, dies while in transit to or from the employee's duty station outside CONUS, must we furnish mortuary services and/or transportation of the remains?

      * * * * *

   4. Part 303-70 is amended by adding Subpart G to read as follows:

      Subpart G--Escort of Remains

      Sec. 303-70.600 How many persons may we authorize travel expenses for to escort the remains of a deceased employee? 303-70.601 Under what circumstances may we authorize the escort of remains? 303-70.602 What travel expenses may we authorize for the escort of remains?

      Subpart G--Escort of Remains

      Sec. 303-70.600 How many persons may we authorize travel expenses for to escort the remains of a deceased employee?

      Travel expenses may be authorized for no more than two persons.

      Sec. 303-70.601 Under what circumstances may we authorize the escort of remains?

      Escort of remains may be authorized when the employee's death occurs:

      (a) While in a travel status away from his/her official station in the United States; or

      (b) While performing official duties outside the United States or in transit thereto or therefrom.

      Sec. 303-70.602 What travel expenses may we authorize for the escort of remains?

      You may authorize any travel expenses in accordance with chapter 301 of this title that are necessary for the escort of remains to:

      (a) The home or official station of the deceased; or

      (b) Any other place appropriate for interment as determined by the head of your agency.

      Dated: July 8, 1999. David J. Barram, Administrator of General Services.

      [FR Doc. 99-21811Filed8-20-99; 8:45 am]

      BILLING CODE 6820-34-P