[Federal Register: July 28, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 145)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 43627-43628]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jy08-7]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Chapter 301-10

[FTR Amendment 2008-05; FTR Case 2008-304; Docket 2008-0002, Sequence 
3]
RIN 3090-AI65

 
Federal Travel Regulation; Privately Owned Vehicle Mileage 
Reimbursement

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final rule amends the mileage reimbursement rate for use 
of a privately owned vehicle (POV) when that mode of transportation is 
authorized or approved as more advantageous to the Government. The 
governing regulation is revised to increase the cost of operating a 
privately owned airplane from $1.07 to $1.26 per mile, a privately 
owned automobile (POA) from $0.505 to $0.585 cents per mile, and a 
privately owned motorcycle from $0.305 to $0.585 cents per mile.

DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective July 28, 2008.
    Applicability Date: This final rule applies to travel performed on 
or after August 1, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT The Regulatory Secretariat (VPR), Room 
4041, GS Building, Washington, DC, 20405, (202) 501-4755, for 
information pertaining to status or publication schedules. For 
clarification of content, contact Patrick McConnell, Office of 
Governmentwide Policy, Travel Management Policy, at (202) 501-2362. 
Please cite FTR Amendment 2008-05; FTR case 2008-304.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5707(b), the Administrator of General Services 
has the responsibility to establish the POV mileage reimbursement 
rates. The Acting Administrator of General Services has determined that 
the per-mile operating cost of each POV is as follows:
    Airplane--Costs presented in the 1995 initial investigation of 
operating costs of privately owned aircraft are updated through GSA's 
consultation with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. The 
general methodology, in part, included information and items such as 
average U.S. retail price for aviation fuel, maintenance labor and 
parts, engine and propeller overhaul, and all items associated with 
determining a composite single engine piston aircraft reimbursement 
rate for Federal employees using their own aircraft while on official 
travel. The per-mile operating cost of a privately owned airplane is 
$1.26.
    Automobile--A recent investigation revealed that the per-mile 
operating cost of a privately owned automobile is $0.585 cents. 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). On June 23, 2008, IRS announced a new 
single standard mileage rate for automobiles of $0.585 cents per mile 
effective July 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008.
    Motorcycle--A report on the motorcycle mileage reimbursement rate 
prepared for GSA provides that the costs of operating a privately owned 
motorcycle for official travel now equals the mileage reimbursement 
rate set for official use of a privately owned automobile. The per-mile 
operating cost of a privately owned motorcycle is $0.585.

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 final 
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 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.

[[Page 43628]]

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 301-10

    Government employees, Travel and transportation expenses.

    Dated: July 11, 2008.
David L. Bibb,
Acting Administrator of General Services.

0
For the reasons set forth in the preamble, under 5 U.S.C. 5701-5709, 
GSA amends 41 CFR part 301-10 as set forth below:

PART 301-10--TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES

0
1. The authority citation for 41 CFR part 301-10 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 5707, 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 49 U.S.C. 40118, 
Office of Management and Budget Circular No. A-126, ``Improving the 
Management and Use of Government Aircraft.'' Revised April 28, 2006.


Sec.  301-10.303  [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  301-10.303, in the table, in the second column, under the 
heading ``Your reimbursement is'', remove ``\1\$1.07'' and add 
``\1\$1.26'' in its place; remove ``\1\$0.505'' and insert 
``\1\$0.585'' in its place; and remove ``\1\$0.305'' and insert 
``\1\$0.585'' in its place.
    Note: The following attachment will not appear in the Code of 
Federal Regulations.

Attachment to Preamble

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

REPORTING TO CONGRESS--THE COSTS OF OPERATING PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES

    Paragraph (b) of Section 5707 of Title 5, United States Code, 
requires the Administrator of General Services to periodically 
investigate the cost to Government employees of operating privately 
owned vehicles (airplanes, automobiles, and motorcycles) while on 
official travel, to report the results of the investigations to 
Congress, and to publish a report in the Federal Register. The 
following report on the privately owned vehicle mileage reimbursement 
rates is published in the Federal Register.

Dated: July 11, 2008.

David L. Bibb,
Acting Administrator of General Services.

Reporting To Congress--The Costs of Operating Privately Owned Vehicles

    5 U.S.C. 5707(b)(1)(A) requires that the Administrator of General 
Services, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary 
of Transportation, and representatives of Government employee 
organizations, conduct periodic investigations of the cost of travel 
and operation of privately owned vehicles (airplanes, automobiles, and 
motorcycles) to Government employees while on official travel, and 
report the results to the Congress at least once a year. 5 U.S.C. 
5707(a)(1) requires that the Administrator of General Services issue 
regulations prescribing mileage reimbursement rates and determine the 
average, actual cost per mile for the use of each type of privately 
owned vehicle based on the results of these cost investigations. Such 
figures must be reported to the 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 above, the General Services Administration (GSA), 
in consultation with the above-specified parties conducted 
investigations of the cost of operating privately owned vehicles. As 
provided in 5 U.S.C. 5704(a)(1), the privately owned automobile (POA) 
reimbursement rate cannot exceed the single standard mileage rate 
established by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS announced a 
new single standard mileage rate for a POA of $0.585, which was 
effective July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008. As required, GSA is 
reporting the results of GSA's investigation and the cost per mile 
determination. Based on cost studies conducted by GSA, the Acting 
Administrator of General Services has determined the per-mile operating 
costs of a POA to be $0.585. In addition, the Acting Administrator of 
General Service has determined the per-mile operating costs of a 
privately owned airplane to be $1.26, and the per-mile operating costs 
of a privately owned motorcycle to be $0.585.
[FR Doc. E8-17183 Filed 7-25-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6820-14-S