HB1379
To Amend The Law Concerning The Special Authorization For Reimbursement For Meals And Lodging While Traveling On Official Business Of The State.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes an amendment to Arkansas Code § 19-4-903(a)(1), which governs reimbursements for meals and lodging during official state travel. The current law allows for reimbursements to not exceed maximum rates prescribed by the Federal Travel Directory, unless a special authorization is granted. The proposed amendment would remove the provision for special authorization by specific state officials, including cabinet-level secretaries, directors, chief executive officers, or chief fiscal officers of departments, boards, or commissions. This would mean that all reimbursements for meals and lodging while traveling on official state business would be strictly limited to the maximum rates established by the Federal Travel Directory, without exception for higher authorization.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
If this bill becomes law, the primary beneficiaries would be the state of Arkansas and its taxpayers. By eliminating the possibility of special authorizations for meal and lodging reimbursements, the bill aims to enforce a stricter cap on state expenditures related to travel. This could lead to more predictable and potentially lower overall costs for state government operations, thus benefiting those who fund these operations through taxes.
Who Might Suffer?
The groups most directly negatively impacted if this bill becomes law would be state employees who travel on official business and who might have previously benefited from special authorizations for meal and lodging reimbursements. This could include individuals whose travel circumstances or locations might have historically justified reimbursements exceeding standard Federal Travel Directory rates, leading to potential out-of-pocket expenses for them if the new limits are insufficient for their actual costs.