SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5707(b), the Administrator of General Services has the responsibility to establish the privately owned vehicle (POV) mileage reimbursement rates. Separate rates are set for airplanes, automobiles (including trucks), and motorcycles. In order to set these rates, GSA is required to conduct periodic investigations, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation, and representatives of Government employee organizations, of the cost of travel and the operation of POVs to employees while engaged on official business. As required, GSA conducted an investigation of the costs of operating a POV and is reporting the cost per mile determination. The results of the investigation have been reported to Congress, and a copy of the report appears as an attachment to this document. GSA's cost studies show the Administrator of General Services has determined the per-mile operating costs of a POV to be 99.5 cents for airplanes, 37.5 cents for automobiles, and 28.5 cents for motorcycles. 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). The IRS has announced a new single standard mileage rate for automobiles of 37.5 cents effective January 1, 2004. Additionally, based on updated data for the two-tiered reimbursement rates reflecting costs to an agency of operating a Government-furnished vehicle (GFV), the current reimbursement rate for use of a POV when a GFV is authorized decreased from 28.5 cents per mile to 27.0 cents per mile. The current reimbursement rate of 10.5 cents per mile for use of a POV by an employee when committed to use a Government automobile will remain the same.

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 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 FTR 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.

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.

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:

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

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5707; 40 U.S.C. 121(c); 49 U.S.C. 40118.

2. In § 301-10.303 revise the last three entries in the table to read as follows:

3. Amend § 301-10.310 in paragraph (a) by removing “28.5” and adding “27.0” in its place.

Attachment to Preamble—Report to Congress on the Costs of Operating Privately Owned Vehicle Mileage Reimbursement

Paragraph (b)(1)(A) of section 5707 of Title 5, United States Code, requires that the Administrator of General Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation, and representatives of Government employee organizations, conduct periodic investigations of the cost of travel and the operation of privately owned vehicles (POVs) (airplanes, automobiles, and motorcycles) to Government employees while on official business and report the results to Congress at least once a year. Paragraph (b)(2)(B) of section 5707 of Title 5, United States Code, further requires that the Administrator of General Services determine the average, actual cost per mile for the use of each type of POV based on the results of the cost investigation. Such figures must be reported to 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 requirements of paragraph (b)(1)(A) of section 5707 of Title 5, United States Code, the General Services Administration (GSA), in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and Transportation, and representatives of Government employee organizations, conducted an investigation of the cost of operating a privately owned automobile. 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). The IRS has announced a new single standard mileage rate for automobiles of 37.5 cents effective January 1, 2004.

As required, GSA is reporting the results of the investigation and the cost per mile determination. Based on cost studies conducted by GSA, I have determined the per-mile operating costs of a POV to be 99.5 cents for airplanes, 37.5 cents for automobiles, and 28.5 cents for motorcycles.

I will issue a regulation to increase the current 95.5 to 99.5 cents for privately owned airplanes, 36.0 to 37.5 cents for privately owned automobiles, and 27.5 to 28.5 cents for privately owned motorcycles. This report to Congress on the cost of operating POVs will be published in the Federal Register .

68 FR 69618