By: Armbrister S.B. No. 495
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
1-1 relating to travel expenses incurred by state officers and
1-2 employees.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 660.002, Government Code, is amended to
1-5 read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 660.002. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
1-7 (1) "Appropriated funds" means funds appropriated
1-8 under the General Appropriations Act.
1-9 (2) "Board" means a board, commission, committee,
1-10 council, governing body, or similar entity in the executive,
1-11 legislative, or judicial branch of state government that is
1-12 composed of two or more members.
1-13 (3) "Cancellation charge" means a fee, charge, or
1-14 payment that a provider of travel services assesses or retains
1-15 because of the cancellation of a travel reservation or other travel
1-16 plan.
1-17 (4) "Chief administrator of a state agency" means:
1-18 (A) an elected state official, including a
1-19 member of a board whose membership is elected by vote of the people
1-20 but excluding a member of the legislature;
1-21 (B) an appointed state official, including an
1-22 individual [official] whose appointment as a state official has not
1-23 yet been confirmed by the [is subject to] senate [confirmation];
1-24 (C) the director of a legislative interim
2-1 committee or board;
2-2 (D) the chief administrator of a state hospital
2-3 or special school; [and]
2-4 (E) the chief administrator of an [a state]
2-5 institution of higher education;
2-6 (F) a first assistant, chief deputy, chief
2-7 clerk, or similar individual employed by a state agency who is
2-8 specifically authorized by law to act for the individual's
2-9 superior; and
2-10 (G) the individual who has the daily
2-11 responsibility for managing the operations of a state agency that
2-12 is governed by a part-time board.
2-13 (5) "Commercial lodging establishment" means:
2-14 (A) a motel, hotel, inn, apartment, house, or
2-15 similar establishment that provides lodging to the public for pay;
2-16 or
2-17 (B) a person or establishment that provides
2-18 lodging for pay that the comptroller determines to have a
2-19 sufficient number of the characteristics of a commercial lodging
2-20 establishment for purposes of this chapter.
2-21 (6) "Commercial transportation company" means a person
2-22 that offers to the public to transport people or goods for pay.
2-23 (7) "Designated headquarters" means:
2-24 (A) the area within:
2-25 (i) the boundaries of the incorporated
2-26 municipality in which the state employee's place of employment is
2-27 located; or
3-1 (ii) a five-mile radius of the state
3-2 employee's place of employment, if the state employee's place of
3-3 employment is located within an unincorporated area; and
3-4 (B) any area completely surrounded by the
3-5 incorporated municipality in which the state employee's place of
3-6 employment is located.
3-7 (8) "Disability" means a physical or mental impairment
3-8 of an individual that substantially limits one or more major life
3-9 activities of the individual.
3-10 (9) "Duty point" means the destination, other than a
3-11 place of employment, to which a state employee travels to conduct
3-12 official state business. If the destination is outside the
3-13 employee's designated headquarters, the duty point is:
3-14 (A) the incorporated municipality in which the
3-15 destination is located; or
3-16 (B) the area within a five-mile radius of the
3-17 destination if the destination is located in an unincorporated
3-18 area.
3-19 (10) "Incidental expense" means an expense incurred
3-20 while traveling on official state business. The term includes a
3-21 mandatory insurance or service charge and an applicable tax. The
3-22 term does not include:
3-23 (A) a meal, lodging, or transportation expense,
3-24 including a tax on a meal;
3-25 (B) a personal expense;
3-26 (C) an expense that a person would incur
3-27 regardless of whether the person is traveling on official state
4-1 business; or
4-2 (D) a tip or gratuity.
4-3 (11) "Institutional funds" has the meaning assigned by
4-4 Section 51.009, Education Code.
4-5 (12) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
4-6 assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
4-7 (13) "Key official" means a chief administrator of a
4-8 state agency or a person holding a position that has been
4-9 designated as exempt from the position classification plan in
4-10 accordance with the General Appropriations Act or by the governor
4-11 under Chapter 654.
4-12 (14) "Lease" means a contract with a term of at least
4-13 one month that gives the lessee possession and use of property or
4-14 equipment while the lessor retains ownership of the property or
4-15 equipment.
4-16 (15) "Place of employment" means the office or other
4-17 location at which a state employee most frequently conducts
4-18 official state business.
4-19 (16) "Prospective state employee" means an individual
4-20 that a state agency considers for employment with the agency. The
4-21 term includes a state employee of a state agency who is considered
4-22 for employment by another state agency.
4-23 (17) "Receipt" means the tangible or electronically
4-24 stored version of an invoice, ticket, bill, document, or other item
4-25 that the comptroller accepts as proof that a travel expense has
4-26 been incurred by a state employee.
4-27 (18) "Rented or public conveyance" means a motor
5-1 vehicle, train, aircraft, boat, or bicycle that a state employee
5-2 rents or pays a fare to use for a period of less than one month.
5-3 (19) "State agency" means:
5-4 (A) a unit of state government that uses
5-5 appropriated funds to pay or reimburse a travel expense of a state
5-6 employee;
5-7 (B) the Teacher Retirement System of Texas; or
5-8 (C) the Employees Retirement System of Texas.
5-9 (20) "State employee" means a person employed by a
5-10 state agency. The term includes a key official unless this chapter
5-11 specifically provides otherwise.
5-12 (21) "Travel expense" means a meal, lodging,
5-13 transportation, or incidental expense.
5-14 (22) "Unit of state government" includes an
5-15 institution of higher education.
5-16 [(2) "Per diem allowance" means a flat daily rate that
5-17 is paid instead of actual expenses for meals and lodging and is
5-18 compensation for official travel purposes only.]
5-19 SECTION 2. Section 660.003, Government Code, is amended to
5-20 read as follows:
5-21 Sec. 660.003. APPLICABILITY. (a) This chapter, the General
5-22 Appropriations Act, and the rules adopted by the comptroller under
5-23 this chapter govern the procedures, amounts, timing, limits,
5-24 required documentation, permissible payees, distinctions among
5-25 different types of state employees, and all other details
5-26 concerning travel expense payments or reimbursements by a state
5-27 agency.
6-1 (b) Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (d), this
6-2 chapter and the travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act
6-3 apply to a travel expense only to the extent that appropriated
6-4 funds are used to pay or reimburse the expense.
6-5 (c) This chapter and the travel provisions of the General
6-6 Appropriations Act apply to a travel expense paid or reimbursed by
6-7 the Employees Retirement System of Texas or the Teacher Retirement
6-8 System of Texas, regardless of whether the funds used to make the
6-9 payment or reimbursement are appropriated funds.
6-10 (d) A law outside this chapter that states that this
6-11 chapter, the travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act,
6-12 or both, apply to a travel expense prevails over a provision to the
6-13 contrary in this chapter.
6-14 (e) A state agency may pay or reimburse a travel expense
6-15 only if:
6-16 (1) the expense is reasonable and necessary;
6-17 (2) the purpose of the travel clearly involves
6-18 official state business and is consistent with the agency's legal
6-19 authority; and
6-20 (3) the expense and the travel during which the
6-21 expense is incurred comply with:
6-22 (A) this chapter;
6-23 (B) the rules adopted by the comptroller under
6-24 this chapter; and
6-25 (C) the travel provisions of the General
6-26 Appropriations Act.
6-27 (f) A travel expense may be paid or reimbursed according to
7-1 the requirements of an applicable federal law or regulation, and
7-2 this chapter does not apply to the extent necessary to avoid
7-3 conflict with an applicable federal law or regulation [applies to:]
7-4 [(1) a state officer;]
7-5 [(2) a chief administrator of a state agency;]
7-6 [(3) a state employee; and]
7-7 [(4) a prospective state employee who incurs expenses
7-8 when requested to visit a state agency, department, or institution
7-9 of higher education for an employment interview and evaluation].
7-10 SECTION 3. Section 660.004, Government Code, is amended to
7-11 read as follows:
7-12 Sec. 660.004. TRAVEL EXPENSES PAID OR REIMBURSED [INCURRED]
7-13 BY [OFFICIALS OR EMPLOYEES OF] INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
7-14 (a) This chapter does not apply to a [reimbursement for] travel
7-15 expense to the extent an institution of higher education pays or
7-16 reimburses the expense from institutional funds [expenses:]
7-17 [(1) incurred by an official or employee of the
7-18 athletic department of an institution of higher education;]
7-19 [(2) to an official or employee of an institution of
7-20 higher education from a gift or bequest; or]
7-21 [(3) of an official or employee of an institution of
7-22 higher education if the expenses are paid or reimbursed to the
7-23 institution under a contract between the institution and the
7-24 federal government or another contracting agency].
7-25 (b) The governing board of an [each] institution of higher
7-26 education shall adopt [necessary] rules as necessary to administer
7-27 and control travel expense payments and reimbursements that are
8-1 exempt from this chapter under Subsection (a) [for the
8-2 administration and control of travel by an official or employee
8-3 exempted by this section].
8-4 SECTION 4. Subchapter A, Chapter 660, Government Code, is
8-5 amended by adding Sections 660.006 through 660.018 to read as
8-6 follows:
8-7 Sec. 660.006. TRAVEL OF PROSPECTIVE STATE EMPLOYEES. (a) A
8-8 state agency that provides advance authorization to a prospective
8-9 state employee to visit the agency for an interview or other
8-10 employment evaluation may:
8-11 (1) reimburse the prospective state employee for a
8-12 travel expense incurred as a result of visiting the agency; or
8-13 (2) pay a vendor for a travel expense incurred by the
8-14 prospective state employee as a result of visiting the agency.
8-15 (b) A state agency shall treat a prospective state employee
8-16 as a state employee for the purposes of reimbursing or paying a
8-17 travel expense of the prospective state employee. The amount of
8-18 the payment or reimbursement is limited to the amount that may be
8-19 paid or reimbursed for travel expenses incurred by an individual
8-20 who holds the position for which the prospective state employee is
8-21 being considered.
8-22 Sec. 660.007. CONSERVATION OF FUNDS. (a) A state agency
8-23 shall minimize the amount of travel expenses paid or reimbursed by
8-24 the agency. The agency shall ensure that each travel arrangement
8-25 is the most cost effective considering all relevant circumstances.
8-26 (b) A state agency may specify a travel expense payment or
8-27 reimbursement rate that is less than the maximum rate specified in
9-1 this chapter or the travel provisions of the General Appropriations
9-2 Act. The lower rate applies only to a travel expense incurred
9-3 after the agency has notified the affected individuals in writing
9-4 about the rate. The agency is solely responsible for enforcing the
9-5 rate.
9-6 Sec. 660.008. TRAVEL EXPENSES INCURRED WHILE ON LEAVE. A
9-7 state agency may pay or reimburse a state employee for a travel
9-8 expense the employee incurs while using personal or compensatory
9-9 leave if:
9-10 (1) the leave is used while the employee is away from
9-11 the employee's designated headquarters;
9-12 (2) the primary purpose of the employee's being away
9-13 is to conduct official state business; and
9-14 (3) the agency determines that returning the employee
9-15 to the employee's designated headquarters while using the leave
9-16 would not be cost effective or would be impracticable.
9-17 Sec. 660.009. INABILITY TO PERFORM OFFICIAL STATE BUSINESS.
9-18 A state agency may pay or reimburse a state employee for a travel
9-19 expense the employee incurs as a result of attempting to conduct
9-20 official state business if:
9-21 (1) the employee is unable to conduct the business
9-22 because of a natural disaster or other natural occurrence; and
9-23 (2) the expense would be payable or reimbursable had
9-24 the official state business been conducted.
9-25 Sec. 660.010. TRAVEL EXPENSES INCURRED TO OBTAIN MEDICAL
9-26 CARE. As additional compensation to a state employee, a state
9-27 agency may pay or reimburse the employee for a travel expense the
10-1 employee incurs while obtaining medical care for the employee if:
10-2 (1) the expense is incurred outside the employee's
10-3 designated headquarters;
10-4 (2) the purpose of the employee traveling outside the
10-5 employee's designated headquarters was to conduct official state
10-6 business;
10-7 (3) waiting to receive the care until the employee
10-8 returns to the employee's designated headquarters would be
10-9 unreasonable; and
10-10 (4) the expense is paid or reimbursed only to the
10-11 extent it would have been paid or reimbursed had it been incurred
10-12 while conducting official state business.
10-13 Sec. 660.011. TRAVEL EXPENSES INCURRED TO ATTEND FUNERAL.
10-14 As additional compensation to a state employee, a state agency may
10-15 reimburse the employee for or pay a travel expense the employee
10-16 incurs while attending the funeral of an individual who was a state
10-17 employee, a board member, or a member of the legislature if:
10-18 (1) the agency determines that the employee's
10-19 attendance at the funeral is appropriate under the circumstances;
10-20 and
10-21 (2) the expense is paid or reimbursed only to the
10-22 extent it could have been paid or reimbursed had it been incurred
10-23 while conducting official state business.
10-24 Sec. 660.012. TRAVEL EXPENSES INCURRED RETURNING TO
10-25 DESIGNATED HEADQUARTERS. (a) A state agency that requires a state
10-26 employee on personal or compensatory leave to return to the
10-27 employee's designated headquarters from another location may pay or
11-1 reimburse the employee for a travel expense incurred by the
11-2 employee while traveling to the headquarters. The agency may pay
11-3 or reimburse a travel expense incurred by the employee while
11-4 traveling back to the location at which the employee was staying
11-5 while on leave or, when appropriate, to the proper location on the
11-6 employee's itinerary, if the employee resumes the leave.
11-7 (b) A state agency may pay or reimburse a state employee for
11-8 a travel expense incurred when the employee returns, before
11-9 official state business is completed, from a duty point to the
11-10 employee's designated headquarters because of an illness or a
11-11 personal emergency.
11-12 Sec. 660.013. TRAVEL EXPENSES INCURRED BY EMPLOYEES OF OTHER
11-13 AGENCIES. A state agency may pay or reimburse a travel expense
11-14 incurred by another state agency's employee if the employee
11-15 incurred the expense while providing services to the paying or
11-16 reimbursing agency.
11-17 Sec. 660.014. PAYMENTS TO CREDIT CARD ISSUERS AND TRAVEL
11-18 AGENTS. (a) If a state agency may directly pay a commercial
11-19 lodging establishment or a commercial transportation company under
11-20 this chapter, the agency may instead pay a credit card issuer or a
11-21 travel agency for the lodging or transportation.
11-22 (b) The documentation required for direct payment to a
11-23 commercial lodging establishment or commercial transportation
11-24 company is also required for payment to a credit card issuer or a
11-25 travel agency.
11-26 Sec. 660.015. CANCELLATION CHARGES. A state agency may pay
11-27 or reimburse a state employee for a cancellation charge if:
12-1 (1) the charge is incurred for a reason related to
12-2 official state business or to official state business that could
12-3 not be conducted because of a natural disaster or other natural
12-4 occurrence; or
12-5 (2) the charge is:
12-6 (A) related to a transportation expense that was
12-7 paid in advance to obtain lower rates; and
12-8 (B) incurred because the employee was unable to
12-9 use the transportation because of an illness or a personal
12-10 emergency.
12-11 Sec. 660.016. PROHIBITION AGAINST ACCEPTING MONEY OR TRAVEL
12-12 EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENTS FROM CERTAIN PERSONS. (a) Unless
12-13 authorized by law, a state employee may not accept money for wages
12-14 or for a travel expense reimbursement from a person that the
12-15 employee's employing state agency intends to audit, examine, or
12-16 investigate or is auditing, examining, or investigating.
12-17 (b) A state employee who violates Subsection (a) shall
12-18 forfeit the money or travel expense reimbursement to the state.
12-19 (c) Subsections (a) and (b) are in addition to any other
12-20 prohibitions, penalties, and forfeitures imposed or required by
12-21 other law.
12-22 Sec. 660.017. EXCESS REIMBURSEMENTS. A state employee who
12-23 receives a reimbursement for a travel expense that exceeds the
12-24 amount the employee may receive under this chapter or the travel
12-25 provisions of the General Appropriations Act shall immediately
12-26 return the amount of the excess.
12-27 Sec. 660.018. MULTIPLE ADVANCES OR REIMBURSEMENTS FOR A
13-1 TRAVEL EXPENSE. A state employee may not accept a reimbursement or
13-2 advance for a travel expense from more than one source. A state
13-3 employee who anticipates receiving or actually receives a
13-4 reimbursement or advance for a travel expense from a person other
13-5 than a state agency may seek an advance or reimbursement for the
13-6 expense from a state agency only to the extent that the amount of
13-7 the employee's advance or reimbursement from the other source is
13-8 less than the amount of the total expense incurred.
13-9 SECTION 5. Section 660.021, Government Code, is amended to
13-10 read as follows:
13-11 Sec. 660.021. RULES. The comptroller shall adopt rules for
13-12 the effective and efficient administration [to administer the
13-13 travel regulations] of this chapter and the travel provisions of
13-14 the General Appropriations Act.
13-15 SECTION 6. Section 660.024, Government Code, is amended to
13-16 read as follows:
13-17 Sec. 660.024. ADVANCE APPROVAL FOR CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL
13-18 TRAVEL. (a) A state agency may not pay or reimburse a [Travel
13-19 related to official state business for which a reimbursement for]
13-20 travel expense incurred by a state employee that is related to
13-21 travel to, in, or from a foreign nation unless [expenses is claimed
13-22 or for which an advance for travel expenses to be incurred is
13-23 sought must have the advance written approval of] the governor
13-24 provides written approval of the travel before it begins. The
13-25 governor may specify the maximum amount of travel expenses that may
13-26 be reimbursed.
13-27 (b) Subsection (a) applies to a travel expense only if it is
14-1 incurred while traveling to, in, or from a destination that is not
14-2 in [does not apply to travel]:
14-3 (1) the United States [in this state]; [or]
14-4 (2) a possession of the United States;
14-5 (3) [to, in, and from another state,] Mexico;[,] or
14-6 (4) Canada.
14-7 (c) The governor may give general approval [blanket
14-8 authority] for international travel by:
14-9 (1) personnel of the International Trade Development
14-10 Division of the Texas Department of Commerce; and
14-11 (2) law enforcement personnel of the Department of
14-12 Public Safety.
14-13 (d) If the governor's approval is required by this section,
14-14 the comptroller may require proof of that approval.
14-15 (e) The governor may designate an employee of the governor's
14-16 office to provide the approval required by this section.
14-17 SECTION 7. Section 660.025, Government Code, is amended to
14-18 read as follows:
14-19 Sec. 660.025. ADVANCE PAYMENT PROCEDURE. (a) The
14-20 comptroller by rule shall establish a procedure by which travel
14-21 expense money may be advanced to a state [officer or] employee [may
14-22 receive an advance payment for projected travel expenses for a
14-23 particular exercise of official duty]. The procedures must be
14-24 consistent with Section 403.248.
14-25 (b) Money may not be advanced to a state employee for a
14-26 travel expense unless the expense is payable or reimbursable under
14-27 this chapter, the travel provisions of the General Appropriations
15-1 Act, and the rules adopted by the comptroller under this chapter.
15-2 [The comptroller shall require a final accounting after actual
15-3 travel expense has been determined to provide for any necessary
15-4 reimbursement or adjustment to reconcile an advance and the actual
15-5 expense incurred.]
15-6 SECTION 8. Subchapter B, Chapter 660, Government Code, is
15-7 amended by adding Sections 660.027 through 660.029 to read as
15-8 follows:
15-9 Sec. 660.027. VOUCHERS. (a) The comptroller may issue a
15-10 warrant or initiate an electronic funds transfer to pay or
15-11 reimburse a travel expense only if a state agency submits to the
15-12 comptroller a voucher that requests the payment or reimbursement.
15-13 (b) A voucher submitted under Subsection (a) is valid only
15-14 if:
15-15 (1) the state agency submitting the voucher approves
15-16 it in accordance with Chapter 2103 and, if required by law,
15-17 certifies the voucher; and
15-18 (2) the state employee who incurred the travel expense
15-19 or, if the employee is unavailable, another individual acceptable
15-20 to the comptroller approves the voucher in writing or
15-21 electronically.
15-22 (c) A voucher must be submitted in the manner required and
15-23 on the form adopted by the comptroller. The comptroller may
15-24 require the voucher to be submitted electronically as authorized by
15-25 Chapter 2103.
15-26 (d) A voucher must describe the official state business
15-27 performed and be accompanied by the information necessary for the
16-1 comptroller to determine compliance with this chapter, the travel
16-2 provisions of the General Appropriations Act, and the rules adopted
16-3 by the comptroller under this chapter.
16-4 (e) The comptroller may require a state agency to provide
16-5 the information required by Subsection (d):
16-6 (1) on the form adopted by the comptroller under
16-7 Subsection (c);
16-8 (2) by submitting receipts; or
16-9 (3) by a combination of Subdivisions (1) and (2).
16-10 Sec. 660.028. AUDITS. (a) The comptroller shall audit a
16-11 voucher either before or after the comptroller issues a warrant or
16-12 initiates an electronic funds transfer in response to the voucher.
16-13 The audit must be conducted in accordance with Sections
16-14 403.011(12), 403.071, and 403.079.
16-15 (b) If the comptroller audits a state agency's voucher after
16-16 the comptroller issues a warrant or initiates an electronic funds
16-17 transfer in response to the voucher, the comptroller may require
16-18 the agency to maintain in its files the receipts relating to the
16-19 voucher until the comptroller audits the voucher.
16-20 (c) If a state agency pays or reimburses a travel expense
16-21 without first submitting a voucher to the comptroller, the
16-22 comptroller may audit the payment or reimbursement for compliance
16-23 with this chapter and the travel provisions of the General
16-24 Appropriations Act. The comptroller may report the results of the
16-25 audit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
16-26 house of representatives, the state auditor, and the Legislative
16-27 Budget Board. The state agency shall cooperate with the
17-1 comptroller and make available the receipts required by the
17-2 comptroller at the time and in the manner required by the
17-3 comptroller.
17-4 (d) The comptroller may require a state agency to maintain
17-5 in its files the receipts regarding a travel expense payment or
17-6 reimbursement for the period required by the comptroller.
17-7 Sec. 660.029. KNOWLEDGE OF TRAVEL PROCEDURES. (a) A state
17-8 agency shall instruct its state employees about this chapter, the
17-9 travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act, and the rules
17-10 adopted by the comptroller under this chapter.
17-11 (b) A state agency's failure or inability to instruct a
17-12 state employee as required by Subsection (a) does not excuse or
17-13 justify the employee's failure to comply with applicable laws or
17-14 rules.
17-15 SECTION 9. Subchapter C, Chapter 660, Government Code, is
17-16 amended to read as follows:
17-17 SUBCHAPTER C. TRANSPORTATION BY PERSONAL MOTOR VEHICLE
17-18 [TRAVEL EXPENSES]
17-19 Sec. 660.041. REIMBURSEMENT REQUIREMENT [TRAVEL EXPENSE
17-20 FORM]. (a) A state employee is entitled to be reimbursed as
17-21 provided by this subchapter for the employee's use of a personally
17-22 owned or leased motor vehicle.
17-23 (b) A state employee may not be reimbursed under this
17-24 subchapter for an expense other than mileage, tolls, and parking.
17-25 [The comptroller shall prescribe the form on which a travel expense
17-26 is to be submitted.]
17-27 Sec. 660.042. AMOUNT OF REIMBURSEMENT [USE OF TRAVEL EXPENSE
18-1 FORM]. A mileage reimbursement may not exceed the product of:
18-2 (1) the applicable mileage reimbursement rate as
18-3 established by the legislature in the travel provisions of the
18-4 General Appropriations Act; and
18-5 (2) the number of miles traveled as limited by this
18-6 subchapter. [(a) A state agency shall use the standard travel
18-7 expense form prescribed by the comptroller in preparing an expense
18-8 account for a traveling state employee.]
18-9 [(b) The travel expense form must state:]
18-10 [(1) the point of origin and the point of destination
18-11 for each trip;]
18-12 [(2) the reimbursable mileage, including intracity
18-13 mileage, that is traveled or projected between each point;]
18-14 [(3) the time that the employee is away or plans to be
18-15 away from designated headquarters for which the employee is or will
18-16 be entitled to travel expenses; and]
18-17 [(4) briefly and clearly the purpose of the trip and
18-18 the character of official business performed or to be performed.]
18-19 Sec. 660.043. DETERMINATION OF REIMBURSABLE MILEAGE [AMOUNT
18-20 OF REIMBURSEMENT OR ADVANCE]. (a) The number of miles traveled
18-21 that are eligible for reimbursement under this subchapter may not
18-22 exceed the number of miles of the most cost-effective route between
18-23 the origin of the state employee's travel and the final duty point
18-24 of the state employee. If a state employee conducts official state
18-25 business at duty points between the origin of the state employee's
18-26 travel and the final duty point, the most cost-effective route
18-27 between the origin and the final duty point shall include the
19-1 intermediate duty points.
19-2 (b) For the purpose of Subsection (a), the shortest route
19-3 between two points is presumed to be the most cost-effective route.
19-4 A longer route may be considered the most cost-effective route only
19-5 if:
19-6 (1) the voucher states that the longer route is more
19-7 cost effective;
19-8 (2) the voucher provides a reasonable justification
19-9 for that statement; and
19-10 (3) the statement and justification are made by the
19-11 chief administrator of the state agency making the reimbursement or
19-12 by the chief administrator's designee.
19-13 (c) The comptroller shall periodically issue and update a
19-14 mileage guide that includes a chart showing the number of miles for
19-15 the shortest route between points. The guide also may include a
19-16 chart showing the number of miles for longer routes between points.
19-17 Farm-to-market and ranch-to-market roads shall be considered when
19-18 determining the routings between points in this state. The guide
19-19 may be electronic or printed, or both.
19-20 (d) If the number of miles between points is not shown in
19-21 the guide, the mileage incurred while traveling between those
19-22 points is not reimbursable unless:
19-23 (1) the voucher itemizes the mileage on a
19-24 point-to-point basis; and
19-25 (2) the mileage is reasonable. [A reimbursement or
19-26 advance from money appropriated by the legislature for travel and
19-27 other necessary expenses incurred by a state officer, chief
20-1 administrator of a state agency, or a state employee in the active
20-2 discharge of the person's duties is in the amount provided by the
20-3 General Appropriations Act as a per diem or actual expenses as
20-4 provided by the General Appropriations Act.]
20-5 Sec. 660.044. USE OF SINGLE MOTOR VEHICLE BY MULTIPLE
20-6 EMPLOYEES [RATE OF AND METHOD OF COMPUTING PER DIEM AND
20-7 TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE]. (a) If two, three, or four state
20-8 employees who are employed by the same state agency travel on the
20-9 same dates with the same itinerary to conduct the same official
20-10 state business, only one of the employees may be reimbursed for
20-11 mileage.
20-12 (b) If more than four state employees who are employed by
20-13 the same state agency travel on the same dates with the same
20-14 itinerary to conduct the same official state business, a state
20-15 agency may reimburse for mileage only on the basis of one motor
20-16 vehicle for each four employees and for any fraction in excess of a
20-17 multiple of four employees.
20-18 (c) Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to a group of state
20-19 employees if the chief administrative officer of the state agency
20-20 that employs the employees determines before travel that it is not
20-21 feasible for the employees to travel together in the same motor
20-22 vehicle. This determination may be made only for reasons related
20-23 to official state business. [The rate of and method of computing a
20-24 per diem or transportation allowance are those provided by the
20-25 General Appropriations Act].
20-26 [Sec. 660.045. PROHIBITION APPLICABLE TO PER DIEM ALLOWANCE.
20-27 (a) A state employee may not receive a per diem allowance or a
21-1 partial per diem allowance provided by the General Appropriations
21-2 Act for time during which the employee is:]
21-3 [(1) at the employee's official designated
21-4 headquarters;]
21-5 [(2) absent from the employee's place of employment
21-6 for a reason not connected with the duties of the employee's
21-7 agency, including absence for a personal reason; or]
21-8 [(3) away from the employee's designated headquarters
21-9 for less than six consecutive hours.]
21-10 [(b) A state employee who leaves the employee's place of
21-11 employment for a reason not related to the duties of the employee's
21-12 agency shall clearly indicate on the required travel expense form
21-13 the absence and the hour and date of departure from and return to
21-14 the employee's place of employment.]
21-15 [Sec. 660.046. APPROVAL AND PAYMENT OF CLAIM. (a) The
21-16 comptroller shall approve a claim for travel expense.]
21-17 [(b) The comptroller shall issue a warrant for payment of an
21-18 approved claim for travel expense.]
21-19 [Sec. 660.047. PROHIBITION APPLICABLE TO ACCEPTANCE OF MONEY
21-20 FROM CERTAIN PERSONS. (a) A state officer or employee who is
21-21 traveling to perform an official duty may not accept money for
21-22 wages or expenses from a person who is or who may be audited,
21-23 examined, inspected, or investigated by the state.]
21-24 [(b) A state officer or employee who is traveling to perform
21-25 an official duty may receive travel expenses only from amounts
21-26 appropriated by the General Appropriations Act.]
21-27 [(c) The comptroller may not pay the salary of a state
22-1 employee who violates this section.]
22-2 [Sec. 660.048. OVERPAYMENT. A state officer or employee who
22-3 receives an overpayment for a travel expense from money
22-4 appropriated by the General Appropriations Act shall reimburse the
22-5 state for the overpayment.]
22-6 [Sec. 660.049. PROHIBITION APPLICABLE TO TRAVEL COMPENSATION
22-7 BY OTHER PERSONS. (a) A state officer or employee may not receive
22-8 a double travel expense payment.]
22-9 [(b) A state employee who is to be compensated for travel
22-10 expenses from a person other than a state agency may not seek an
22-11 advance payment or receive a reimbursement for the travel from
22-12 money authorized by the General Appropriations Act.]
22-13 [Sec. 660.050. LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCE. (a) A state
22-14 employee whose duties customarily require travel within the
22-15 employee's designated headquarters may be paid a local
22-16 transportation allowance for the travel.]
22-17 [(b) The allowance may not exceed the transportation
22-18 allowance for use of a privately owned automobile under the General
22-19 Appropriations Act.]
22-20 [(c) Notwithstanding the General Appropriations Act, a state
22-21 employee with a physical disability that precludes the personal
22-22 operation of a privately owned automobile may receive a reasonable
22-23 local transportation allowance not to exceed the amount to which
22-24 the employee would be entitled for similar travel outside the
22-25 employee's designated headquarters.]
22-26 [Sec. 660.051. COURTESY CARD. A state officer or employee
22-27 may use a courtesy card for travel by air, rail, or bus.]
23-1 [Sec. 660.052. DETERMINATION OF MILEAGE FOR TRAVEL BY
23-2 PRIVATELY OWNED CONVEYANCE. The comptroller shall determine
23-3 mileage for the purpose of a reimbursement or advance payment for
23-4 travel by a privately owned conveyance by:]
23-5 [(1) computing the shortest highway distance between
23-6 the point of origin and the destination using intermediate points
23-7 at which official state business is conducted; and]
23-8 [(2) adding other necessary mileage at points at which
23-9 official state business is conducted.]
23-10 [Sec. 660.053. DETERMINATION OF MILEAGE FOR TRAVEL BY
23-11 PERSONAL CAR. (a) In determining the amount of a reimbursement or
23-12 advance payment for travel by privately owned car in the state, the
23-13 comptroller shall:]
23-14 [(1) compute all distances according to the shortest
23-15 route between points;]
23-16 [(2) adopt a mileage guide that is available both
23-17 electronically and in a printed version that includes information
23-18 on distances and provides the shortest route between points in the
23-19 state, including any farm-to-market road; and]
23-20 [(3) update the mileage guide as necessary.]
23-21 [(b) The comptroller shall encourage use of the electronic
23-22 mileage guide. The comptroller may prescribe the circumstances
23-23 under which a state agency may rely on the printed mileage guide.]
23-24 [Sec. 660.054. MULTIPLE USE OF SINGLE PRIVATELY OWNED
23-25 CONVEYANCE BY STATE EMPLOYEES. (a) If two or more state employees
23-26 travel in a single privately owned conveyance, only one employee
23-27 may receive a transportation allowance.]
24-1 [(b) This section does not prohibit each state employee
24-2 traveling in a privately owned conveyance from receiving a per diem
24-3 allowance.]
24-4 [Sec. 660.055. MULTIPLE USE OF SINGLE PRIVATELY OWNED CAR.
24-5 (a) If two, three, or four state officers or employees travel in a
24-6 privately owned car, only one reimbursement or advance payment for
24-7 the car's mileage may be claimed and allowed.]
24-8 [(b) The comptroller shall consider the travel claims of the
24-9 officers and employees as multiple claims and may pay only one
24-10 claim to the extent of mileage claimed.]
24-11 [(c) If more than four employees travel in more than one
24-12 car, full mileage is allowed for one car for each four employees
24-13 and for any fraction in excess of a multiple of four employees.]
24-14 [(d) A state officer or employee must obtain the advance
24-15 approval of the chief administrator of the officer's or employee's
24-16 state agency if it is not feasible for the officer or employee to
24-17 travel in the same car. Approval under this subsection authorizes
24-18 reimbursement or advance payment for travel by the officer or
24-19 employee using the officer's or employee's privately owned car.]
24-20 [(e) This section applies only to state officers or
24-21 employees who:]
24-22 [(1) are employed by the same state agency;]
24-23 [(2) are required to travel on the same official state
24-24 business;]
24-25 [(3) have the same itinerary; and]
24-26 [(4) travel on the same dates.]
24-27 SECTION 10. Chapter 660, Government Code, is amended by
25-1 adding Subchapters D, E, F, and G to read as follows:
25-2 SUBCHAPTER D. TRANSPORTATION BY PERSONAL AIRCRAFT
25-3 Sec. 660.071. REIMBURSEMENT REQUIREMENT. A state employee,
25-4 a key official, or a member of a board is entitled to be reimbursed
25-5 as provided by this subchapter for use of an aircraft owned or
25-6 leased by the employee, official, or member.
25-7 Sec. 660.072. AMOUNT OF REIMBURSEMENT. A reimbursement
25-8 under this subchapter may not exceed the product of:
25-9 (1) the aircraft mileage reimbursement rate
25-10 established in the travel provisions of the General Appropriations
25-11 Act; and
25-12 (2) the highway mileage between the designated
25-13 headquarters and duty point of the state employee, key official, or
25-14 member of a board.
25-15 Sec. 660.073. AIRCRAFT MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATE. The
25-16 travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act may establish
25-17 different aircraft mileage rates:
25-18 (1) for travel in:
25-19 (A) a single-engine aircraft;
25-20 (B) a twin-engine aircraft; and
25-21 (C) a turbine-powered aircraft; and
25-22 (2) for travel by:
25-23 (A) a state employee;
25-24 (B) a key official;
25-25 (C) a member of a board; and
25-26 (D) a member of the legislature.
25-27 Sec. 660.074. GROUP TRAVEL. (a) This section applies only
26-1 if a key official or member of a board travels with another
26-2 official or member in an aircraft owned or leased by the other
26-3 official or member.
26-4 (b) In addition to the amount entitled to be reimbursed
26-5 under Section 660.071, the key official or member of a board who
26-6 owns or leases the aircraft is entitled to an amount equal to the
26-7 amount that would have been paid or reimbursed to each passenger
26-8 had the passenger incurred the average economy or coach airfare
26-9 instead of traveling on the aircraft. The total reimbursement to
26-10 the official or member may not exceed the total cost of the trip.
26-11 (c) The lessee of the aircraft may require the reimbursement
26-12 to be paid to the vendor providing the leased aircraft instead of
26-13 the lessee.
26-14 Sec. 660.075. AIRCRAFT LEASED FROM CERTAIN PERSONS. A key
26-15 official or a member of a board is entitled to reimbursement under
26-16 this subchapter for use of an aircraft leased from a
26-17 proprietorship, partnership, or corporation in which the official
26-18 or member has an interest.
26-19 (Sections 660.076-660.090 reserved for expansion
26-20 SUBCHAPTER E. TRANSPORTATION BY RENTED OR PUBLIC CONVEYANCE
26-21 Sec. 660.091. GENERAL PROVISION. A state agency shall pay
26-22 as provided by this subchapter the expense of transporting a state
26-23 employee by rented or public conveyance in the course of conducting
26-24 state business.
26-25 Sec. 660.092. PAYMENT AND REIMBURSEMENT METHODS. (a) A
26-26 state agency may pay an expense under this subchapter by:
26-27 (1) reimbursing the employee as provided by Subsection
27-1 (b);
27-2 (2) directly paying the expense as provided by
27-3 Subsection (c); or
27-4 (3) directly paying the expense in advance of travel
27-5 as provided by Subsection (d).
27-6 (b) If a state agency reimburses a state employee, the
27-7 agency shall submit receipts to the comptroller on request in the
27-8 manner required by the comptroller. A state agency is not required
27-9 to submit receipts for mass transit, taxi, or limousine fares.
27-10 (c) A state agency may request a commercial transportation
27-11 company to furnish transportation to the agency's state employees
27-12 and to bill the agency monthly for that transportation. The state
27-13 agency shall require the company to submit an invoice to the agency
27-14 listing the points of origin and destination for each trip and the
27-15 taxes charged. The agency shall submit those invoices to the
27-16 comptroller on request and in the manner required by the
27-17 comptroller.
27-18 (d) A state agency may directly pay a commercial
27-19 transportation company before the travel of a state employee if the
27-20 payment would result in a lower transportation expense. The
27-21 comptroller may adopt rules that authorize advance payments in
27-22 other circumstances.
27-23 (e) If a reimbursement to a state employee for a
27-24 transportation expense would not be authorized, a direct payment to
27-25 a commercial transportation company for the same expense is
27-26 prohibited.
27-27 (f) A state agency may not pay or reimburse the expense of
28-1 transporting a state employee by rented or public conveyance if the
28-2 transportation is provided by a person who is not a commercial
28-3 transportation company.
28-4 Sec. 660.093. COMMERCIAL AIR TRANSPORTATION. The amount
28-5 that a state agency pays or reimburses for a state employee to
28-6 travel between points by commercial airline may not exceed the
28-7 lowest rate available. First class airfare may be paid or
28-8 reimbursed only if it is the only available airfare. Business
28-9 class airfare may be paid or reimbursed only if a lower airfare is
28-10 not available.
28-11 (Sections 660.094-660.110 reserved for expansion
28-12 SUBCHAPTER F. MEAL, LODGING, AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSES
28-13 Sec. 660.111. REIMBURSEMENT REQUIREMENT. A state employee
28-14 is entitled to be reimbursed as provided by this subchapter for a
28-15 meal, lodging, or incidental expense incurred by the employee.
28-16 Sec. 660.112. AMOUNT OF REIMBURSEMENT. A reimbursement
28-17 under this subchapter may not exceed:
28-18 (1) the limits established by the travel provisions of
28-19 the General Appropriations Act for meal and lodging expenses; and
28-20 (2) the amount of incidental expenses actually
28-21 incurred by the state employee.
28-22 Sec. 660.113. RESTRICTED REIMBURSEMENTS. (a) A state
28-23 agency may not reimburse a state employee for a lodging expense
28-24 incurred at a place that is not a commercial lodging establishment.
28-25 (b) A state agency may not reimburse a state employee for a
28-26 meal or lodging expense the employee incurs while traveling outside
28-27 the employee's designated headquarters for less than six
29-1 consecutive hours unless the employee is a chief administrator of a
29-2 state agency or the travel provisions of the General Appropriations
29-3 Act authorize the reimbursement.
29-4 (c) A state agency may not reimburse a state employee for a
29-5 meal expense incurred within the employee's designated headquarters
29-6 unless the expense is:
29-7 (1) mandatory; and
29-8 (2) connected with training, a seminar, or a
29-9 conference.
29-10 (d) A state agency may reimburse a state employee for a meal
29-11 expense incurred while traveling without an overnight stay away
29-12 from the employee's designated headquarters only if the chief
29-13 administrator of the agency authorizes the reimbursement.
29-14 (e) A state agency may not reimburse a state employee for
29-15 the purchase of an alcoholic beverage, unless the employee is a
29-16 peace officer who purchased the beverage as a purchase of evidence
29-17 in an administrative or criminal case.
29-18 Sec. 660.114. DIRECT PAYMENTS TO COMMERCIAL LODGING
29-19 ESTABLISHMENTS. (a) A state agency may request that a commercial
29-20 lodging establishment bill the agency directly for a lodging
29-21 expense. A state agency shall submit receipts regarding the
29-22 expense to the comptroller on request in the manner required by the
29-23 comptroller.
29-24 (b) If a direct payment to a commercial lodging
29-25 establishment is authorized under this section, any meal expenses
29-26 incurred at the establishment may be paid directly to the
29-27 establishment. A state agency shall submit receipts about the
30-1 expenses to the comptroller on request in the manner required by
30-2 the comptroller.
30-3 (c) If a reimbursement to a state employee for a lodging or
30-4 meal expense would not be authorized, a direct payment to a
30-5 commercial lodging establishment for the expense is prohibited.
30-6 Sec. 660.115. RECEIPTS. (a) Except as provided by
30-7 Subsections (b) and (c), a state employee who requests
30-8 reimbursement for a lodging expense must submit a lodging receipt
30-9 to the comptroller at the time and in the manner required by the
30-10 comptroller.
30-11 (b) A chief administrator of a state agency who is not a
30-12 member of a board is not required to submit a lodging receipt to
30-13 the comptroller.
30-14 (c) A member of a board is not required to submit a lodging
30-15 receipt to the comptroller if:
30-16 (1) the membership of the board is elected by vote of
30-17 the people; or
30-18 (2) the member serves on the board full-time and is
30-19 paid a salary for that service.
30-20 Sec. 660.116. HOTEL OCCUPANCY AND SIMILAR TAXES. (a) A
30-21 state employee is entitled to be reimbursed for a state, county, or
30-22 local hotel occupancy tax or any similar tax imposed by a law of
30-23 this state, another state, or a foreign nation.
30-24 (b) A state employee is entitled to be reimbursed for a
30-25 hotel occupancy or similar tax from which the employee is legally
30-26 exempt only if the employee properly claims the exemption and the
30-27 commercial lodging establishment refuses to honor the exemption.
31-1 (c) If a state agency directly pays a commercial lodging
31-2 establishment under Section 660.114, the agency may directly pay a
31-3 hotel occupancy or similar tax to the establishment.
31-4 Sec. 660.117. APARTMENT OR HOUSE RENTAL EXPENSES. An
31-5 apartment or house rental expense may be reimbursed or paid only
31-6 if:
31-7 (1) the purpose of the rental is the conservation of
31-8 funds; and
31-9 (2) the reimbursement or payment and the rental comply
31-10 with the rules adopted by the comptroller under this chapter.
31-11 Sec. 660.118. INCIDENTAL EXPENSES. A state agency may
31-12 reimburse a state employee for an incidental expense incurred by
31-13 the employee only in accordance with rules adopted by the
31-14 comptroller under this chapter.
31-15 (Sections 660.119-660.140 reserved for expansion
31-16 SUBCHAPTER G. SPECIAL TRAVEL EXPENSE PROVISIONS
31-17 Sec. 660.141. TRAVEL BY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS. (a) An
31-18 individual is entitled to reimbursement for the actual expense of
31-19 meals and lodging incurred while performing the duties of the
31-20 individual's office or employment if the individual is:
31-21 (1) a judicial officer;
31-22 (2) a chief administrative officer of a state agency,
31-23 subject to Subsection (c);
31-24 (3) the executive director of the Texas Legislative
31-25 Council; or
31-26 (4) the secretary of the senate.
31-27 (b) The governor's spouse is entitled to reimbursement for
32-1 actual travel expenses incurred while performing duties at the
32-2 direction of the governor.
32-3 (c) A member of a board whose membership is not elected by
32-4 vote of the people is not a chief administrative officer for the
32-5 purposes of this section.
32-6 Sec. 660.142. BOARD MEMBERS. This chapter applies to a
32-7 payment or reimbursement of a travel expense incurred by a member
32-8 of a board only if Subchapter C, Chapter 659, or other applicable
32-9 law authorizes the payment or reimbursement.
32-10 Sec. 660.143. TRAVEL BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
32-11 (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a state
32-12 agency may reimburse a state employee with a disability for
32-13 attendant care and other necessary expenses incurred when the
32-14 employee travels inside or outside the employee's designated
32-15 headquarters. An expense incurred when traveling between a
32-16 residence and a place of employment may be reimbursed only as
32-17 provided by law for state employees without disabilities.
32-18 (b) If the airfare is medically necessary, a state agency
32-19 may reimburse a state employee with a disability for the first or
32-20 business class airfare of:
32-21 (1) the employee; and
32-22 (2) the attendant of the employee.
32-23 (c) Instead of reimbursing a state employee for attendant
32-24 care and other necessary expenses, a state agency may:
32-25 (1) reimburse the attendant for those expenses; or
32-26 (2) pay a commercial transportation company or
32-27 commercial lodging establishment directly if the expenses are for
33-1 transportation or lodging.
33-2 (d) If this chapter, the travel provisions of the General
33-3 Appropriations Act, or a rule adopted by the comptroller under this
33-4 chapter conflicts with a requirement of the Americans with
33-5 Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq.), a
33-6 federal regulation adopted under that Act, or another applicable
33-7 federal law or regulation, the federal law or regulation controls
33-8 to the extent of the conflict.
33-9 Sec. 660.144. DEATH OF STATE EMPLOYEES. (a) A state agency
33-10 may pay or reimburse the expense of preparing and transporting the
33-11 remains and personal property of a state employee who dies while
33-12 conducting official state business outside the employee's
33-13 designated headquarters.
33-14 (b) The agency may pay or reimburse the expense of
33-15 transporting the remains and personal property either to the
33-16 employee's designated headquarters or to another location
33-17 designated by the executor or administrator of the employee's
33-18 estate. If the remains and personal property are transported to a
33-19 location other than the employee's designated headquarters, the
33-20 amount of the agency's payment or reimbursement may not exceed the
33-21 amount that would have been paid had the remains and personal
33-22 property been transported to the designated headquarters.
33-23 Sec. 660.145. TRAVEL EXPENSES OF THREATENED STATE EMPLOYEES
33-24 AND THEIR FAMILIES. (a) A state agency may pay or reimburse a
33-25 travel expense incurred by a state employee who serves in a law
33-26 enforcement, investigative, or similar capacity if the employee is
33-27 threatened as a result of the employee's official duties.
34-1 (b) A state agency may pay or reimburse a travel expense
34-2 incurred by the family of a state employee who serves in a law
34-3 enforcement, investigative, or similar capacity if the family is
34-4 threatened as a result of the employee's official duties.
34-5 (c) A travel expense is payable or reimbursable under this
34-6 section even if it is incurred within a state employee's designated
34-7 headquarters.
34-8 Sec. 660.146. CONFLICTS WITH OTHER SUBCHAPTERS. In the
34-9 event of a conflict between this subchapter and another provision
34-10 of this chapter, this subchapter controls.
34-11 SECTION 11. Section 659.031, Government Code, is amended to
34-12 read as follows:
34-13 Sec. 659.031. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "state board"
34-14 means a board, commission, committee, council, or similar agency in
34-15 the executive or judicial branch of state government that is
34-16 composed of two or more members. The term does not include a
34-17 board, commission, committee, council, or similar agency whose
34-18 membership is elected by vote of the people.
34-19 SECTION 12. Sections 660.005, 660.022, 660.023, and 660.026,
34-20 Government Code, are repealed.
34-21 SECTION 13. (a) In this section, "travel expense" has the
34-22 meaning assigned by Section 660.002, Government Code, as amended by
34-23 this Act.
34-24 (b) Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this section,
34-25 the changes in law made by this Act apply only to a travel expense
34-26 incurred on or after the effective date of this Act. A travel
34-27 expense incurred before the effective date of this Act is governed
35-1 by the law applicable to the expense at the time the expense was
35-2 incurred, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
35-3 (c) The changes in law made by this Act in regard to the
35-4 procedures that must be followed for payment or reimbursement of a
35-5 travel expense also apply to payment or reimbursement made on or
35-6 after the effective date of this Act of an expense incurred before
35-7 the effective date.
35-8 SECTION 14. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.
35-9 SECTION 15. The importance of this legislation and the
35-10 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
35-11 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
35-12 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
35-13 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
35-14 COMMITTEE AMENDMENT NO. 1
35-15 Amend S.B. No. 495 as follows:
35-16 Strike Section 6 of the bill on page 14, lines 13-25, and
35-17 page 15, lines 1-16, and substitute the following:
35-18 SECTION 6. Section 660.024, Government Code, is amended to
35-19 read as follows:
35-20 Sec. 660.024. ADVANCE APPROVAL FOR CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL
35-21 TRAVEL. (a) The chief administrator of a state agency must give
35-22 advance written approval for any travel [Travel] related to
35-23 official state business for which a reimbursement for travel
35-24 expenses is claimed or for which an advance for travel expenses to
35-25 be incurred is sought [must have the advance written approval of
35-26 the governor]. A copy of the written approval shall be submitted
35-27 with the travel voucher to the comptroller in accordance with
36-1 Section 660.027.
36-2 (b) Subsection (a) applies to a travel expense only if it is
36-3 incurred while traveling to, in, or from a destination that is not
36-4 in [does not apply to travel]:
36-5 (1) the United States [in this state]; [or]
36-6 (2) a possession of the United States;
36-7 (3) [to, in, and from another state,] Mexico;[,] or
36-8 (4) Canada.
36-9 (c) The chief administrator of a state agency may designate
36-10 an employee of the agency to provide the approval required by this
36-11 section. [The governor may give blanket authority for travel by:]
36-12 [(1) personnel of the International Trade Development
36-13 Division of the Texas Department of Commerce; and]
36-14 [(2) law enforcement personnel of the Department of
36-15 Public Safety.]
36-16 75R12850 MLS-F Ramsay