Federal Register: December 15, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 240)
DOCID: FR Doc 03-30849
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
General Services Administration
CFR Citation: 41 CFR Part 301-10
RIN ID: RIN 3090-AH89
FTR ID: [FTR Amendment 2003-06; FTR Case 2003-308]
NOTICE: RULES
ACTION: Federal travel:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Federal Travel Regulation; Privately Owned Vehicle Mileage Reimbursement
DATES: Effective Date: January 1, 2004.
Applicability Date: This final rule applies to travel performed on or after January 1, 2004.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
This final rule amends the mileage reimbursement rate for use
of a privately owned vehicle (POV) on official travel to reflect
current costs of operation as determined in cost studies conducted by
the General Services Administration (GSA). The governing regulation is
revised to increase the mileage allowance for advantageous use of a
privately owned airplane from 95.5 to 99.5 cents per mile, the cost of
operating a privately owned automobile from 36.0 to 37.5 cents per
mile, and the cost of operating a privately owned motorcycle from 27.5 to 28.5 cents per mile.
[[Page 69619]]
SUMMARY:
Privately owned vehicle mileage reimbursement,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
A. Background
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5707(b), the Administrator of General Services has the responsibility to establish the privately owned vehicle (POV) mileage reimbursement rates. Separate rates are set for airplanes, automobiles (including trucks), and motorcycles. In order to set these rates, GSA is required to conduct periodic investigations, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation, and representatives of Government employee organizations, of the cost of travel and the operation of POVs to employees while engaged on official business. As required, GSA conducted an investigation of the costs of operating a POV and is reporting the cost per mile determination. The results of the investigation have been reported to Congress, and a copy of the report appears as an attachment to this document. GSA's cost studies show the Administrator of General Services has determined the permile operating costs of a POV to be 99.5 cents for airplanes, 37.5 cents for automobiles, and 28.5 cents for motorcycles. As provided in 5 U.S.C. 5704(a)(1), the automobile reimbursement rate cannot exceed the single standard mileage rate established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS has announced a new single standard mileage rate for automobiles of 37.5 cents effective January 1, 2004. Additionally, based on updated data for the twotiered reimbursement rates reflecting costs to an agency of operating a Governmentfurnished vehicle (GFV), the current reimbursement rate for use of a POV when a GFV is authorized decreased from 28.5 cents per mile to 27.0 cents per mile. The current reimbursement rate of 10.5 cents per mile for use of a POV by an employee when committed to use a Government automobile will remain the same.
B. Executive Order 12866
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 is not required to be published in the Federal Register for notice and comment; therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., does not apply.
D. 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 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 solely to agency management and personnel.
List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 30110
Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses.
Dated: December 8, 2003.
Stephen A. Perry,
Administrator of General Services.
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 57015709, GSA amends 41 CFR part 30110 as set forth below:
PART 30110TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 30110 is revised to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 49 U.S.C. 40118.
2. In Sec. 30110.303 revise the last three entries in the table to read as follows:
Sec. 30110.303 What am I reimbursed when use of a POV is determined by my agency to be advantageous to the Government?
Your
For use of a reimbursement
is * * * * *
Privately owned airplane............................... \1\ 99.5
Privately owned automobile............................. \1\ 37.5
Privately owned motorcycle............................. \1\ 28.5 \1\ Cents per mile.
3. Amend Sec. 30110.310 in paragraph (a) by removing ``28.5'' and adding ``27.0'' in its place.
Attachment to PreambleReport to Congress on the Costs of Operating Privately Owned Vehicle Mileage Reimbursement
Paragraph (b)(1)(A) of section 5707 of Title 5, United States
Code, requires that the Administrator of General Services, in
consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation, and
representatives of Government employee organizations, conduct
periodic investigations of the cost of travel and the operation of
privately owned vehicles (POVs) (airplanes, automobiles, and
motorcycles) to Government employees while on official business and
report the results to Congress at least once a year. Paragraph
(b)(2)(B) of section 5707 of Title 5, United States Code, further
requires that the Administrator of General Services determine the
average, actual cost per mile for the use of each type of POV based
on the results of the cost investigation. Such figures must be reported to Congress within 5 working days after the cost
determination has been made in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
5707(b)(2)(C).
Pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(A) of section 5707 of Title 5, United States Code, the General Services
Administration (GSA), in consultation with the Secretaries of
Defense and Transportation, and representatives of Government
employee organizations, conducted an investigation of the cost of
operating a privately owned automobile. As provided in 5 U.S.C.
5704(a)(1), the automobile reimbursement rate cannot exceed the
single standard mileage rate established by the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS). The IRS has announced a new single standard mileage
rate for automobiles of 37.5 cents effective January 1, 2004.
As required, GSA is reporting the results of the investigation and the cost per mile determination. Based on cost studies conducted by GSA, I have determined the permile operating costs of a POV to be 99.5 cents for airplanes, 37.5 cents for automobiles, and 28.5 cents for motorcycles.
I will issue a regulation to increase the current 95.5 to 99.5
cents for privately owned airplanes, 36.0 to 37.5 cents for
privately owned automobiles, and 27.5 to 28.5 cents for privately
owned motorcycles. This report to Congress on the cost of operating POVs will be published in the Federal Register.
[FR Doc. 0330849 Filed 121203; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 682014P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
The Regulatory Secretariat, Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 2087312, for information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For clarification of content, contact Devoanna R. Reels, Program Analyst, Office of Governmentwide Policy, Travel Management Policy, at (202) 5013781. Please cite FTR Amendment 200306, FTR case 2003308.