Senate Bill sb2672c1

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    Florida Senate - 2003                           CS for SB 2672

    By the Committee on Governmental Oversight and Productivity;
    and Senators Lawson and Miller




    302-2280-03

  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to per diem and travel

  3         expenses; amending s. 112.061, F.S.;

  4         establishing per diem and subsistence ranges

  5         for travel expenses of public employees;

  6         conforming provisions and deleting obsolete

  7         provisions; providing for future adjustments of

  8         such rates; providing that counties and

  9         district school boards may increase specified

10         rates; providing an effective date.

11  

12  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

13  

14         Section 1.  Section 112.061, Florida Statutes, is

15  amended to read:

16         112.061  Per diem and travel expenses of public

17  officers, employees, and authorized persons.--

18         (1)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--There are inequities,

19  conflicts, inconsistencies, and lapses in the numerous laws

20  regulating or attempting to regulate travel expenses of public

21  officers, employees, and authorized persons in the state.  It

22  is the intent of the Legislature:

23         (a)  To remedy same and to establish uniform travel

24  reimbursement ranges for state agencies, maximum travel

25  reimbursement rates for nonstate public agencies, and

26  limitations for all public agencies, with certain justifiable

27  exceptions, applicable to all public travelers officers,

28  employees, and authorized persons whose travel expenses are

29  paid by a public agency.

30         (b)  To preserve the standardization and uniformity

31  established by this law:

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    Florida Senate - 2003                           CS for SB 2672
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 1         1.  The provisions of this section shall prevail over

 2  any conflicting provisions in a general law, present or

 3  future, to the extent of the conflict; but if any such general

 4  law contains a specific exemption from this section, including

 5  a specific reference to this section, such general law shall

 6  prevail, but only to the extent of the exemption.

 7         2.  The provisions of any special or local law, present

 8  or future, shall prevail over any conflicting provisions in

 9  this section, but only to the extent of the conflict.

10         (2)  DEFINITIONS.--For the purposes of this section,

11  the following words shall have the meanings indicated:

12         (a)  Agency or public agency--Any office, department,

13  agency, division, subdivision, political subdivision, board,

14  bureau, commission, authority, district, public body, body

15  politic, county, city, town, village, municipality, or any

16  other separate unit of government created pursuant to law.

17         (b)  Agency head or head of the agency--The highest

18  policymaking authority of a public agency, as herein defined.

19         (c)  Officer or public officer--An individual who in

20  the performance of his or her official duties is vested by law

21  with sovereign powers of government and who is either elected

22  by the people, or commissioned by the Governor and has

23  jurisdiction extending throughout the state, or any person

24  lawfully serving instead of either of the foregoing two

25  classes of individuals as initial designee or successor.

26         (d)  Employee or public employee--An individual,

27  whether commissioned or not, other than an officer or

28  authorized person as defined herein, who is filling a regular

29  or full-time authorized position and is responsible to an

30  agency head.

31         (e)  Authorized person--

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 1         1.  A person other than a public officer or employee as

 2  defined herein, whether elected or commissioned or not, who is

 3  authorized by an agency head to incur travel expenses in the

 4  performance of official duties.

 5         2.  A person who is called upon by an agency to

 6  contribute time and services as consultant or adviser.

 7         3.  A person who is a candidate for an executive or

 8  professional position.

 9         (f)  Traveler--A public officer, public employee, or

10  authorized person, when performing authorized travel.

11         (g)  Travel expense, traveling expenses, necessary

12  expenses while traveling, actual expenses while traveling, or

13  words of similar nature--The usual ordinary and incidental

14  expenditures necessarily incurred by a traveler.

15         (h)  Common carrier--Train, bus, commercial airline

16  operating scheduled flights, or rental cars of an established

17  rental car firm.

18         (i)  Travel day--A period of 24 hours consisting of

19  four quarters of 6 hours each.

20         (j)  Travel period--A period of time between the time

21  of departure and time of return.

22         (k)  Class A travel--Continuous travel of 24 hours or

23  more away from official headquarters.

24         (l)  Class B travel--Continuous travel of less than 24

25  hours which involves overnight absence from official

26  headquarters.

27         (m)  Class C travel--Travel for short or day trips

28  where the traveler is not away from his or her official

29  headquarters overnight.

30         (n)  Foreign travel--Travel outside the United States.

31         (3)  AUTHORITY TO INCUR TRAVEL EXPENSES.--

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 1         (a)  All travel must be authorized and approved by the

 2  head of the agency, or his or her designated representative,

 3  from whose funds the traveler is paid.  The head of the agency

 4  shall not authorize or approve such a request unless it is

 5  accompanied by a signed statement by the traveler's supervisor

 6  stating that such travel is on the official business of the

 7  state and also stating the purpose of such travel.

 8         (b)  Travel expenses of travelers shall be limited to

 9  those expenses necessarily incurred by them in the performance

10  of a public purpose authorized by law to be performed by the

11  agency and must be within the limitations prescribed by this

12  section.

13         (c)  Travel by public officers or employees serving

14  temporarily in behalf of another agency or partly in behalf of

15  more than one agency at the same time, or authorized persons

16  who are called upon to contribute time and services as

17  consultants or advisers, may be authorized by the agency head.

18  Complete explanation and justification must be shown on the

19  travel expense voucher or attached thereto.

20         (d)  Travel expenses of public employees for the sole

21  purpose of taking merit system or other job placement

22  examinations, written or oral, shall not be allowed under any

23  circumstances, except that upon prior written approval of the

24  agency head or his or her designee, candidates for executive

25  or professional positions may be allowed travel expenses

26  pursuant to this section.

27         (e)  The agency head, or a designated representative,

28  may pay by advancement or reimbursement, or a combination

29  thereof, the costs of per diem of travelers and authorized

30  persons for foreign travel at the current rates as specified

31  in the federal publication "Standardized Regulations

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 1  (Government Civilians, Foreign Areas)" and incidental expenses

 2  as provided in this section.

 3         (f)  A traveler who becomes sick or injured while away

 4  from his or her official headquarters and is therefore unable

 5  to perform the official business of the agency may continue to

 6  receive subsistence as provided in subsection (6) during this

 7  period of illness or injury until such time as he or she is

 8  able to perform the official business of the agency or returns

 9  to his or her official headquarters, whichever is earlier.

10  Such subsistence may be paid when approved by the agency head

11  or his or her designee.

12         (g)  The secretary of the Department of Health or a

13  designee may authorize travel expenses incidental to the

14  rendering of medical services for and on behalf of clients of

15  the Department of Health.  The Department of Health may

16  establish rates lower than the range maximum provided in this

17  section for these travel expenses.

18         (4)  OFFICIAL HEADQUARTERS.--The official headquarters

19  of an officer or employee assigned to an office shall be the

20  city or town in which the office is located except that:

21         (a)  The official headquarters of a person located in

22  the field shall be the city or town nearest to the area where

23  the majority of the person's work is performed, or such other

24  city, town, or area as may be designated by the agency head

25  provided that in all cases such designation must be in the

26  best interests of the agency and not for the convenience of

27  the person.

28         (b)  When any state employee is stationed in any city

29  or town for a period of over 30 continuous workdays, such city

30  or town shall be deemed to be the employee's official

31  headquarters, and he or she shall not be allowed per diem or

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    Florida Senate - 2003                           CS for SB 2672
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 1  subsistence, as provided in this section, after the said

 2  period of 30 continuous workdays has elapsed, unless this

 3  period of time is extended by the express approval of the

 4  agency head or his or her designee.

 5         (c)  A traveler may leave his or her assigned post to

 6  return home overnight, over a weekend, or during a holiday,

 7  but any time lost from regular duties shall be taken as annual

 8  leave and authorized in the usual manner.  The traveler shall

 9  not be reimbursed for travel expenses in excess of the

10  established rate for per diem allowable had he or she remained

11  at his or her assigned post.  However, when a traveler has

12  been temporarily assigned away from his or her official

13  headquarters for an approved period extending beyond 30 days,

14  he or she shall be entitled to reimbursement for travel

15  expenses at the established rate of one round trip for each

16  30-day period actually taken to his or her home in addition to

17  pay and allowances otherwise provided.

18         (5)  COMPUTATION OF TRAVEL TIME FOR REIMBURSEMENT.--For

19  purposes of reimbursement and methods of calculating

20  fractional days of travel, the following principles are

21  prescribed:

22         (a)  The travel day for Class A travel shall be a

23  calendar day (midnight to midnight).  The travel day for Class

24  B travel shall begin at the same time as the travel period.

25  For Class A and Class B travel, the traveler shall be

26  reimbursed one-fourth of the authorized rate of per diem for

27  each quarter, or fraction thereof, of the travel day included

28  within the travel period.  Class A and Class B travel shall

29  include any assignment on official business outside of regular

30  office hours and away from regular places of employment when

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2003                           CS for SB 2672
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 1  it is considered reasonable and necessary to stay overnight

 2  and for which travel expenses are approved.

 3         (b)  A traveler shall not be reimbursed on a per diem

 4  basis for Class C travel, but shall receive subsistence as

 5  provided in this section, which allowance for meals shall be

 6  based on the following schedule:

 7         1.  Breakfast--When travel begins before 6 a.m. and

 8  extends beyond 8 a.m.

 9         2.  Lunch--When travel begins before 12 noon and

10  extends beyond 2 p.m.

11         3.  Dinner--When travel begins before 6 p.m. and

12  extends beyond 8 p.m., or when travel occurs during nighttime

13  hours due to special assignment.

14  

15  No allowance shall be made for meals when travel is confined

16  to the city or town of the official headquarters or immediate

17  vicinity; except assignments of official business outside the

18  traveler's regular place of employment if travel expenses are

19  approved.  The Chief Financial Officer Comptroller shall

20  establish a schedule for processing Class C travel subsistence

21  payments at least on a monthly basis.

22         (c)  For the 2002-2003 fiscal year only and

23  notwithstanding the other provisions of this subsection, for

24  Class C travel, a state traveler shall not be reimbursed on a

25  per diem basis nor shall a traveler receive subsistence

26  allowance.  This paragraph expires July 1, 2003.

27         (6)  RATES OF PER DIEM AND SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE.--For

28  purposes of reimbursement rates and methods of calculation,

29  per diem and subsistence allowances are divided into the

30  following groups and rates:

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2003                           CS for SB 2672
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 1         (a)  All travelers shall be allowed for subsistence

 2  when traveling to a convention or conference or when traveling

 3  within or outside the state in order to conduct bona fide

 4  state business, which convention, conference, or business

 5  serves a direct and lawful public purpose with relation to the

 6  public agency served by the person attending such meeting or

 7  conducting such business, either of the following for each day

 8  of such travel at the option of the traveler:

 9         1.  Between $50 and $94 Fifty dollars per diem for

10  state travelers, or up to $94 per diem for nonstate travelers;

11  or

12         2.  If actual expenses exceed $50, the amounts

13  permitted in paragraphs (a) and paragraph (b) for per diem and

14  meals, plus actual expenses for lodging at a single-occupancy

15  rate to be substantiated by paid bills therefor.

16  

17  When lodging or meals are provided at a state institution, the

18  traveler shall be reimbursed only for the actual expenses of

19  such lodging or meals, not to exceed the maximum provided for

20  in this subsection.

21         (b)  All travelers shall be allowed the following

22  amounts for subsistence while on Class C travel on official

23  business as provided in paragraph (5)(b):

24         1.  Breakfast....State travelers are allowed between $3

25  and $5 and nonstate travelers up to $5

26         2.  Lunch....State travelers are allowed between $6 and

27  $11 and nonstate travelers up to $11

28         3.  Dinner..State travelers are allowed between $12 and

29  $22 and nonstate travelers up to $22

30  

31  

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    Florida Senate - 2003                           CS for SB 2672
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 1         (c)  No one, whether traveling out of state or in

 2  state, shall be reimbursed for any meal or lodging included in

 3  a convention or conference registration fee paid by the state.

 4         (d)  For the 2002-2003 fiscal year only and

 5  notwithstanding the other provisions of this subsection, for

 6  Class C travel, a state traveler shall not be reimbursed on a

 7  per diem basis nor shall a traveler receive subsistence

 8  allowance.  This paragraph expires July 1, 2003.

 9         (7)  TRANSPORTATION.--

10         (a)  All travel must be by a usually traveled route.

11  In case a person travels by an indirect route for his or her

12  own convenience, any extra costs shall be borne by the

13  traveler; and reimbursement for expenses shall be based only

14  on such charges as would have been incurred by a usually

15  traveled route. The agency head or his or her designee shall

16  designate the most economical method of travel for each trip,

17  keeping in mind the following conditions:

18         1.  The nature of the business.

19         2.  The most efficient and economical means of travel

20  (considering time of the traveler, impact on the productivity

21  of the traveler, cost of transportation, and per diem or

22  subsistence required). When it is more efficient and

23  economical to either the traveler or the agency head, jet

24  service offered by any airline, whether on state contract or

25  not, may be used when the cost is within an approved threshold

26  determined by the agency head or his or her designee.

27         3.  The number of persons making the trip and the

28  amount of equipment or material to be transported.

29         (b)  The Department of Financial Services Banking and

30  Finance may provide any form it deems necessary to cover

31  

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 1  travel requests for traveling on official business and when

 2  paid by the state.

 3         (c)  Transportation by common carrier when traveling on

 4  official business and paid for personally by the traveler,

 5  shall be substantiated by a receipt therefor.  Federal tax

 6  shall not be reimbursable to the traveler unless the state and

 7  other public agencies are also required by federal law to pay

 8  such tax.  In the event transportation other than the most

 9  economical class as approved by the agency head is provided by

10  a common carrier on a flight check or credit card, the charges

11  in excess of the most economical class shall be refunded by

12  the traveler to the agency charged with the transportation

13  provided in this manner.

14         (d)1.  The use of privately owned vehicles for official

15  travel in lieu of publicly owned vehicles or common carriers

16  may be authorized by the agency head or his or her designee.

17  Whenever travel is by privately owned vehicle:, the

18         a.  A state traveler shall be entitled to a mileage

19  allowance at a fixed rate of 29 to 37 25 cents per mile; for

20  state fiscal year 1994-1995 and 29

21         b.  A nonstate traveler shall be entitled to a mileage

22  allowance up to 37 cents per mile; or

23         c.  The traveler shall be entitled to thereafter or the

24  common carrier fare for such travel, as determined by the

25  agency head.

26         2.  Reimbursement for expenditures related to the

27  operation, maintenance, and ownership of a vehicle shall not

28  be allowed when privately owned vehicles are used on public

29  business and reimbursement is made pursuant to this paragraph,

30  except as provided in subsection (8).

31  

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 1         3.2.  All mileage shall be shown from point of origin

 2  to point of destination and, when possible, shall be computed

 3  on the basis of the current map of the Department of

 4  Transportation. Vicinity mileage necessary for the conduct of

 5  official business is allowable but must be shown as a separate

 6  item on the expense voucher.

 7         (e)  Transportation by chartered vehicles when

 8  traveling on official business may be authorized by the agency

 9  head when necessary or where it is to the advantage of the

10  agency, provided the cost of such transportation does not

11  exceed the cost of transportation by privately owned vehicle

12  pursuant to paragraph (d).

13         (f)  The agency head or his or her designee may grant

14  monthly allowances in fixed amounts for use of privately owned

15  automobiles on official business in lieu of the mileage rate

16  provided in paragraph (d).  Allowances granted pursuant to

17  this paragraph shall be reasonable, taking into account the

18  customary use of the automobile, the roads customarily

19  traveled, and whether any of the expenses incident to the

20  operation, maintenance, and ownership of the automobile are

21  paid from funds of the agency or other public funds.  Such

22  allowance may be changed at any time, and shall be made on the

23  basis of a signed statement of the traveler, filed before the

24  allowance is granted or changed, and at least annually

25  thereafter. The statement shall show the places and distances

26  for an average typical month's travel on official business,

27  and the amount that would be allowed under the approved rate

28  per mile for the travel shown in the statement, if payment had

29  been made pursuant to paragraph (d).

30         (g)  No contract may be entered into between a public

31  officer or employee, or any other person, and a public agency,

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 1  in which a depreciation allowance is used in computing the

 2  amount due by the agency to the individual for the use of a

 3  privately owned vehicle on official business; provided, any

 4  such existing contract shall not be impaired.

 5         (h)  No traveler shall be allowed either mileage or

 6  transportation expense when gratuitously transported by

 7  another person or when transported by another traveler who is

 8  entitled to mileage or transportation expense. However, a

 9  traveler on a private aircraft shall be reimbursed the actual

10  amount charged and paid for the fare for such transportation

11  up to the cost of a commercial airline ticket for the same

12  flight, even though the owner or pilot of such aircraft is

13  also entitled to transportation expense for the same flight

14  under this subsection.

15         (8)  OTHER EXPENSES.--

16         (a)  The following incidental travel expenses of the

17  traveler may be reimbursed:

18         1.  Taxi fare.

19         2.  Ferry fares; and bridge, road, and tunnel tolls.

20         3.  Storage or parking fees.

21         4.  Communication expense.

22         5.  Convention registration fee while attending a

23  convention or conference which will serve a direct public

24  purpose with relation to the public agency served by the

25  person attending such meetings.  A traveler may be reimbursed

26  the actual and necessary fees for attending events which are

27  not included in a basic registration fee that directly enhance

28  the public purpose of the participation of the agency in the

29  conference.  Such expenses may include, but not be limited to,

30  banquets and other meal functions.  It shall be the

31  responsibility of the traveler to substantiate that the

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 1  charges were proper and necessary.  However, any meals or

 2  lodging included in the registration fee will be deducted in

 3  accordance with the allowances provided in subsection (6).

 4         (b)  Other expenses which are not specifically

 5  authorized by this section may be approved by the Department

 6  of Financial Services Banking and Finance pursuant to rules

 7  adopted by it.  Expenses approved pursuant to this paragraph

 8  shall be reported by the Department of Financial Services

 9  Banking and Finance to the Auditor General annually.

10         (9)  RULES AND REGULATIONS.--

11         (a)  The Department of Financial Services Banking and

12  Finance shall adopt promulgate such rules and regulations,

13  including, but not limited to, the general criteria to be used

14  by a state agency to predetermine justification for attendance

15  by state officers, and employees, and authorized persons at

16  conventions and conferences, and prescribe such forms as may

17  be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.  The

18  department may also adopt rules prescribing the proper

19  disposition and use of promotional items and rebates offered

20  by common carriers and other entities in connection with

21  travel at public expense; however, before adopting such rules,

22  the department shall consult with the appropriation committees

23  of the Legislature.

24         (b)  Each state agency shall promulgate such additional

25  specific rules and regulations and specific criteria to be

26  used by it to predetermine justification for attendance by

27  state officers and employees and authorized persons at

28  conventions and conferences, not in conflict with the rules

29  and regulations of the Department of Financial Services

30  Banking and Finance or with the general criteria to be used by

31  a state agency to predetermine justification for attendance by

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 1  state officers, and employees, and authorized persons at

 2  conventions, as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of

 3  this section.

 4         (10)  FRAUDULENT CLAIMS.--Claims submitted pursuant to

 5  this section shall not be required to be sworn to before a

 6  notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths,

 7  but any claim authorized or required to be made under any

 8  provision of this section shall contain a statement that the

 9  expenses were actually incurred by the traveler as necessary

10  travel expenses in the performance of official duties and

11  shall be verified by a written declaration that it is true and

12  correct as to every material matter; and any person who

13  willfully makes and subscribes any such claim which he or she

14  does not believe to be true and correct as to every material

15  matter, or who willfully aids or assists in, or procures,

16  counsels, or advises the preparation or presentation under the

17  provisions of this section of a claim which is fraudulent or

18  is false as to any material matter, whether or not such

19  falsity or fraud is with the knowledge or consent of the

20  person authorized or required to present such claim, is guilty

21  of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided

22  in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Whoever shall receive an

23  allowance or reimbursement by means of a false claim shall be

24  civilly liable in the amount of the overpayment for the

25  reimbursement of the public fund from which the claim was

26  paid.

27         (11)  TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION AND VOUCHER FORMS.--

28         (a)  Authorization forms.--The Department of Financial

29  Services Banking and Finance shall furnish a uniform travel

30  authorization request form which shall be used by all state

31  officers and employees and authorized persons when requesting

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 1  approval for the performance of travel to a convention or

 2  conference.  The form shall include, but not be limited to,

 3  provision for the name of each traveler, purpose of travel,

 4  period of travel, estimated cost to the state, and a statement

 5  of benefits accruing to the state by virtue of such travel.  A

 6  copy of the program or agenda of the convention or conference,

 7  itemizing registration fees and any meals or lodging included

 8  in the registration fee, shall be attached to, and filed with,

 9  the copy of the travel authorization request form on file with

10  the agency.  The form shall be signed by the traveler and by

11  the traveler's supervisor stating that the travel is to be

12  incurred in connection with official business of the state.

13  The head of the agency or his or her designated representative

14  shall not authorize or approve such request in the absence of

15  the appropriate signatures. A copy of the travel authorization

16  form shall be attached to, and become a part of, the support

17  of the agency's copy of the travel voucher.

18         (b)  Voucher forms.--

19         1.  The Department of Financial Services Banking and

20  Finance shall furnish a uniform travel voucher form which

21  shall be used by all state officers and employees and

22  authorized persons when submitting travel expense statements

23  for approval and payment.  No travel expense statement shall

24  be approved for payment by the Chief Financial Officer

25  Comptroller unless made on the form prescribed and furnished

26  by the department. The travel voucher form shall provide for,

27  among other things, the purpose of the official travel and a

28  certification or affirmation, to be signed by the traveler,

29  indicating the truth and correctness of the claim in every

30  material matter, that the travel expenses were actually

31  incurred by the traveler as necessary in the performance of

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 1  official duties, that per diem claimed has been appropriately

 2  reduced for any meals or lodging included in the convention or

 3  conference registration fees claimed by the traveler, and that

 4  the voucher conforms in every respect with the requirements of

 5  this section.  The original copy of the executed uniform

 6  travel authorization request form shall be attached to the

 7  uniform travel voucher on file with the respective agency.

 8         2.  Statements for travel expenses incidental to the

 9  rendering of medical services for and on behalf of clients of

10  the Department of Health shall be on forms approved by the

11  Financial Services Department of Banking and Finance.

12         (12)  ADVANCEMENTS.--Notwithstanding any of the

13  foregoing restrictions and limitations, an agency head or his

14  or her designee may make, or authorize the making of, advances

15  to cover anticipated costs of travel to travelers.  Such

16  advancements may include the costs of subsistence and travel

17  of any person transported in the care or custody of the

18  traveler in the performance of his or her duties.

19         (13)  DIRECT PAYMENT OF EXPENSES BY AGENCY.--Whenever

20  an agency requires an employee to incur either Class A or

21  Class B travel on emergency notice to the traveler, such

22  traveler may request the agency to pay his or her expenses for

23  meals and lodging directly to the vendor, and the agency may

24  pay the vendor the actual expenses for meals and lodging

25  during the travel period, limited to an amount not to exceed

26  that authorized pursuant to this section. In emergency

27  situations, the agency head or his or her designee may

28  authorize an increase in the amount paid for a specific meal,

29  provided that the total daily cost of meals does not exceed

30  the total amount authorized for meals each day.  The agency

31  head or his or her designee may also grant prior approval for

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    Florida Senate - 2003                           CS for SB 2672
    302-2280-03




 1  a state agency to make direct payments of travel expenses in

 2  other situations that result in cost savings to the state, and

 3  such cost savings shall be documented in the voucher submitted

 4  to the Chief Financial Officer Comptroller for the direct

 5  payment of travel expenses.  The provisions of this subsection

 6  shall not be deemed to apply to any legislator or to any

 7  employee of the Legislature.

 8         (14)  TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT RANGES AND ADJUSTMENTS.--

 9         (a)  For the 2002-2003 fiscal year, state travelers may

10  receive no more than the minimum amounts for per diem as

11  provided in subparagraph (6)(a)1., subsistence as provided in

12  paragraph 6(b), and mileage as provided in subparagraph

13  (7)(d)1.

14         (b)  On or before June 30, 2003, and annually

15  thereafter, the Executive Office of the Governor for executive

16  branch agencies, the presiding officers of the Legislature for

17  legislative branch agencies, and the Chief Justice of the

18  State Supreme Court for judicial branch agencies shall

19  determine, based on the ranges specified in this section, the

20  specific amount to be paid during the following fiscal year to

21  state travelers for per diem as provided in subparagraph

22  (6)(a)1., subsistence as provided in paragraph 6(b), and

23  mileage as provided in subparagraph (7)(d)1.

24         (c)  On June 1, 2005, and annually thereafter, the

25  Department of Financial Services shall, by rule, adjust the

26  amounts for per diem provided in subparagraph (6)(a)1., the

27  amounts for subsistence provided in paragraph (6)(b), and the

28  amounts for mileage provided in subparagraph (7)(d)1. to

29  reflect the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for

30  All Urban Consumers, U.S. City Average since June 1, 2003. The

31  annually adjusted amounts shall be rounded downward to the

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    Florida Senate - 2003                           CS for SB 2672
    302-2280-03




 1  nearest whole dollar for per diem and subsistence and to the

 2  nearest whole cent for mileage, and shall be effective for the

 3  following fiscal year.

 4         (15)  APPLICABILITY TO COUNTIES AND DISTRICT SCHOOL

 5  BOARDS.--The governing body of a county may establish by

 6  ordinance or resolution, or a district school board may

 7  establish by rule, travel reimbursement rates that exceed the

 8  maximum rates specified in s. 112.061(6)(a) for per diem, in

 9  s. 112.061(6)(b) for meals, and in s. 112.061(7)(d)1. for

10  mileage allowances. Except as provided in this subsection,

11  counties and district school boards remain subject to the

12  requirements of this section.

13         Section 2.  This act shall take effect June 1, 2003.

14  

15          STATEMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES CONTAINED IN
                       COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
16                         Senate Bill 2672

17                                 

18  Provides that annually adjusted mileage amounts should be
    rounded to the nearest cent. Provides that counties and
19  district school boards may set per diem, meal, and mileage
    rates in excess of those set forth in the section. Provides
20  that counties and district school boards remain subject to all
    other provisions of the section.
21  

22  

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31  

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