81R3750 YDB-D
By: Farabee H.B. No. 605
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to state employees mileage reimbursement.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 660.043(a), (b), and (c), Government
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The number of miles traveled that are eligible for
reimbursement under this subchapter may not exceed the number of
miles of the most cost-effective reasonably safe route between the
origin of the state employee's travel and the final duty point of
the state employee. If a state employee conducts official state
business at duty points between the origin of the state employee's
travel and the final duty point, the most cost-effective reasonably
safe route between the origin and the final duty point shall include
the intermediate duty points.
(b) For the purpose of Subsection (a), the shortest route
between two points is presumed to be the most cost-effective
reasonably safe route. A longer route may be considered the most
cost-effective reasonably safe route only if:
(1) the voucher states that the longer route is more
cost effective or appreciably safer;
(2) the voucher provides a reasonable justification
for that statement; and
(3) the statement and justification are made by the
chief administrator of the state agency making the reimbursement or
by the chief administrator's designee.
(c) The comptroller shall periodically issue and update a
mileage guide that includes a chart showing the number of miles for
the shortest route between points. The guide also may include a
chart showing the number of miles for longer routes between points.
Farm-to-market and ranch-to-market roads and safety considerations
such as the potential for wildlife vehicle collisions on rural
roads shall be considered when determining the routings between
points in this state. The guide may be electronic or printed, or
both.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2009, the comptroller
of public accounts of the State of Texas shall update the mileage
guide as necessary to comply with Section 660.043, Government Code,
as amended by this Act.
SECTION 3. Section 660.043, Government Code, as amended by
this Act, applies only to the determination of reimbursable mileage
for travel occurring on or after January 1, 2010.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.