Federal travel: Travel and relocation expenses test programs,

[Federal Register: February 10, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 27)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 6590-6591]

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

[DOCID:fr10fe99-35]

[[Page 6590]]

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 300-80

RIN 3090-AG88

[FTR Amendment______1998 Edition]

Federal Travel Regulation; Travel and Relocation Expenses Test Programs

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing to amend the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) to add authority to implement sections of the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-264, October 19, 1998), which authorizes Federal agencies to conduct travel and relocation expenses test programs when determined by the Administrator of General Services to be in the interest of the Government. This change will permit agencies to test new and innovative methods of reimbursing travel and relocation expenses without seeking a waiver of current rules or authorizing legislation. It will also assist the Government to determine whether such innovations provide advantageous and effective travel and transportation costs and processes.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Ms. Sharon Kiser, Regulatory Secretariat (MVR), Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services Administration, 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405. E- mail comments may be sent to RIN.3090-AG88@gsa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Harte, Travel Team Leader, Travel and Transportation Management Policy Division (MTT), telephone 202-501- 0483.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 19, 1998, the President signed into law the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 (the Act) (Pub. L. 105-264). This proposed change will implement the provisions of the Act authorizing travel and relocation expenses test programs designed to enhance cost savings or other efficiencies that may accrue to the Government.

1. Executive Order 12866

   GSA has determined that this proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993.

2. Regulatory Flexibility Act

   This proposed rule is not required to be published in the Federal Register for notice and comment; therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply.

3. Paperwork Reduction Act

   The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the proposed 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 under 44 U.S.C. 501 et seq.

4. Small Business Regulatory Reform Act

   This proposed 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 300-80

   Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses.

   For the reasons set forth in the preamble, it is proposed that 41 CFR part 300-80 be added to read as follows:

   PART 300-80--TRAVEL AND RELOCATION EXPENSES TEST PROGRAMS

   Sec. 300-80.1 What is a travel and relocation expenses test program? 300-80.2 Who may authorize such test programs? 300-80.3 What must be done to apply for test program authority? 300-80.4 How many test programs may be authorized by GSA throughout the Government? 300-80.5 What factors will GSA consider in approving a request for a travel or relocation expenses test program? 300-80.6 May the same agency be authorized to test travel and relocation expenses programs at the same time? 300-80.7 What limits are there to test programs? 300-80.8 What is the maximum duration of test programs? 300-80.9 What reports are required for a test program? 300-80.10 When does the authority of GSA to authorize test programs expire?

   Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707, 5710, 5738, and 5739.

   Sec. 300-80.1 What is a travel and relocation expenses test program?

   It is a program to permit agencies to test new and innovative methods of reimbursing travel and relocation expenses without seeking a waiver of current rules or authorizing legislation.

   Sec. 300-80.2 Who may authorize such test programs?

   Only the Administrator of General Services may authorize an agency to conduct such tests when the Administrator determines such tests to be in the interest of the government.

   Sec. 300-80.3 What must be done to apply for test program authority?

   The head of the agency or designee must design the test program to enhance cost savings or other efficiencies to the Government and submit in writing to the Administrator of General Services (Attention: MTT), 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405:

   (a) An explanation of the test program;

   (b) Specific provisions of the FTR to be tested (travel and/or relocation);

   (c) An analysis of the expected costs and benefits; and

   (d) A set of criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

   Sec. 300-80.4 How many test programs may be authorized by GSA throughout the Government?

   No more than 10 travel expense test programs and 10 relocation expense test programs may be conducted at the same time.

   Sec. 300-80.5 What factors will GSA consider in approving a request for a travel or relocation expenses test program?

   The following factors will be considered:

   (a) Potential savings to the Government;

   (b) Applicability of results to other agencies;

   (c) Feasibility of successful implementation;

   (d) Number of tests, if any, already authorized to the same activity;

   (e) Whether the request meets the requirements of Sec. 300-80.3;

   (f) Other agency requests under consideration at the time of submission; and

   (g) Uniqueness of proposed test.

   Sec. 300-80.6 May the same agency be authorized to test travel and relocation expenses programs at the same time?

   Yes, if authorized, both test programs may be conducted by the same agency at the same time.

   Sec. 300-80.7 What limits are there to test programs?

   None. When authorized by the Administrator of General Services, the agency may pay any necessary travel or relocation expenses in lieu of payments authorized or required under chapters 301 and 302 of this title.

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   Sec. 300-80.8 What is the maximum duration of test programs?

   Each test program may be continued for a period of up to 24 months from the date the test is authorized to begin.

   Sec. 300-80.9 What reports are required for a test program?

   Two reports are required:

   (a) The Administrator of General Services must submit a copy of an approved test program to Congress at least 30 days before the effective start date of the authorized test program.

   (b) The agency authorized to conduct the test program must submit a report on the results of the test program to the Administrator of General Services and to Congress within 3 months after completion of the program.

   Sec. 300-80.10 When does the authority of GSA to authorize test programs expire?

   The authority to conduct test programs expires on October 20, 2005.

   Dated: January 26, 1999. G. Martin Wagner, Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy.

   [FR Doc. 99-3222Filed2-9-99; 8:45 am]

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