Changes to Methods for Determining Maximum Meal and Lodging Rates - Effective September 1, 2009

Effective Sept. 1, 2009, the General Appropriations Act, Senate Bill 1, Article IX, Section 5.06(c), 81st Legislature, Regular Session, requires agencies to use the General Services Administration (GSA)’s federal travel rates to determine the maximum meals and lodging reimbursement rates for both in-state and out-of-state travel. Agencies will continue to use the $85 maximum for lodging and $36 maximum for meals for in-state locations not specifically listed in the federal rates. The method for determining maximum out-of-state travel rates has not changed.

Additionally, a state employee may now:

·         claim less than the maximum meal rate for a duty point and use the amount of the reduction to increase the maximum lodging rate for the duty point

·         request a higher lodging rate for both in-state and out-of-state travel under certain conditions

Source: https://fmx.cpa.state.tx.us/fmx/travel/textravel/changes/meallodge2009.php

As of December 4, 2008, the State Comptroller’s Office has made changes to the State Travel Guidelines that will affect how reimbursements are calculated.

The changes are as follows:

 Mileage can be calculated and claimed in one of three ways.

o   Using the State Mileage Guide

o   Using actual odometer readings from the traveler’s vehicle

o   Using MapQuest internet mapping service specifically.  No other internet mapping site will be accepted. 

If a rate for a particular duty point is not listed on the federal rate schedule, the rate that is listed for the nearest city or county to the duty point will be used.  This will replace the Median Rate Rule.