[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58329-58330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23887]
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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
41 CFR Part 300-80
[FTR Amendment 2010-03; FTR Case 2010-304; Docket 2010-0016; Sequence
1]
RIN 3090-ZA01
Federal Travel Regulation (FTR); Relocation Expenses Test
Programs
AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services
Administration (GSA).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This final rule updates the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) to
reflect statutory changes that extended the authority for relocation
expenses test programs for Federal employees, made by the passage of
Public Law 111-112 on November 30, 2009.
DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective September 24, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB),
Room 4035, GS Building, Washington, DC 20405, (202) 501-4755, for
information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For
clarification of content, contact Mr. Henry Maury, Office of
Governmentwide Policy (M), Office of Travel, Transportation and Asset
Management (MT), General Services Administration at (202) 208-7928 or
e-
[[Page 58330]]
mail at henry.maury@gsa.gov. Please cite FTR Amendment 2010-03; FTR
case 2010-304.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
On October 19, 1998, the President signed into law the Travel and
Transportation Reform Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-264). Subsection 5(b) of
Public Law 105-264, codified at 5 U.S.C. 5739, permits the
Administrator of General Services to authorize Federal agencies to test
new and innovative methods of reimbursing relocation expenses without
seeking authorizing legislation or a waiver of regulations. This
statutory provision is implemented in part 300-80 the Federal Travel
Regulation (FTR) (41 CFR part 300-80), ``Relocation Expenses Test
Programs.'' Public Law 109-325 extended the test program authority
through October 19, 2009. Public Law 111-112, enacted on November 30,
2009, extended the test program authority indefinitely.
B. Changes to the Current FTR
This final rule:
Revises section 300-80.4 to update the maximum number of
test programs that may be simultaneously running from 10 to 12;
Revises section 300-80.6 to clarify test programs are
limited to making payments in lieu of the relocation reimbursements
contained in 5 U.S.C. chapter 57, subchapter II;
Revises section 300-80.7 to update the duration of test
programs and possible extensions from 24 months to four years;
Redesignates current section 300-80.8 as section 300-80.9
and removes current section 300-80.9 because it is no longer valid;
Adds new section 300-80.8 to add instructions for agencies
wishing to apply for a test program extension; and
Revises newly designated section 300-80.9 to clarify the
reporting requirements for agencies conducting test programs.
C. Executive Order 12866
This regulation is excepted from the definition of ``regulation''
or ``rule'' under Section 3(d)(3) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory
Planning and Review, dated September 30, 1993 and, therefore, was not
subject to review under Section 6(b) of that Executive Order.
D. Regulatory Flexibility Act
This final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq., because the
revisions are not considered substantive. This final rule is also
exempt from the Regulatory Flexibility Act per 5 U.S.C. 553 (a)(2)
because it applies to agency management. However, this final rule is
being published to provide transparency in the promulgation of federal
policies.
E. Paperwork Reduction Act
The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because the changes to
the Federal Travel Regulation 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.
F. 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 300-80
Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Travel and transportation expenses.
Dated: July 16, 2010.
Martha Johnson,
Administrator of General Services.
0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701-5739,
GSA amends 41 CFR part 300-80 as set forth below:
PART 300-80--RELOCATION EXPENSES TEST PROGRAMS
0
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 300-80 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707, 5738, and 5739.
Sec. 300-80.4 [Amended]
0
2. Amend Sec. 300-80.4 by removing ``10'' and adding ``12'' in its
place.
Sec. 300-80.6 [Amended]
0
3. Amend Sec. 300.80-6 by--
0
a. Removing the word ``None.''; and
0
b. Removing ``Chapter 302 of this title.'' and adding ``5 U.S.C.
chapter 57, subchapter II.'' in its place.
0
4. Revise Sec. 300-80.7 to read as follows:
Sec. 300-80.7 How long is the duration of test programs?
The duration of a test program is up to four years from the date of
authorization unless terminated prior to that time by the Administrator
of General Services. The agency conducting a test program may also
terminate the test program at any time by providing written notice of
the termination to the Administrator of General Services. The
Administrator of General Services may grant test program extensions of
up to an additional four years (see Sec. 300-80.8).
Sec. 300-80.9 [Removed]
0
5. Remove Sec. 300-80.9.
Sec. 300-80.8 [Redesignated as Sec. 300-80.9]
0
6. Redesignate Sec. 300-80.8 as Sec. 300-80.9.
0
7. Add a new Sec. 300-80.8 to read as follows:
Sec. 300-80.8 What must we do to apply for a test program extension?
The head of the agency or designee must submit a request to extend
the test program to the Administrator of General Services (Attention:
MTT), 1800 F Street, NW., Washington, DC 20405, not later than 120 days
prior to the expiration of the test period. The request for extension
must contain the test program results to that date and clearly
enumerate the benefits, qualitatively or quantitatively or both, of
granting a test program extension and must specify the duration of time
for which an extension is requested.
0
8. Amend newly redesignated Sec. 300-80.9 by--
0
a. Removing the introductory text;
0
b. Removing in paragraph (a), ``an approved test program'' and adding
``any test program approved or extended'' in its place; and
0
c. Adding new paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 300-80.9 What reports are required for a test program?
* * * * *
(c) All reports must include quantitative or qualitative
assessments, or both, clearly evaluating the results of the test
program and enumerating benefits and costs.
[FR Doc. 2010-23887 Filed 9-23-10; 8:45 am]
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