The Comptroller of Public Accounts proposes amendments to §5.22, concerning incorporation by reference: "State of Texas Travel Allowance Guide."

The amendments are necessary because of the issuance of a new "State of Texas Travel Allowance Guide" by the comptroller in June 2006. The new guide reflects changes made by the 79th Legislature, 2005, to the travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act. The new guide also includes policy changes that are intended to promote efficiency and eliminate ambiguities concerning the travel of state officers and employees. Chapter 9 of the new guide lists the major differences between it and the previous guide. A copy of the new guide is available upon request from Claims Division, P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Texas 78711.

John Heleman, Chief Revenue Estimator, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment will be in effect, there will be no foreseeable implications relating to costs or revenues of the state or local governments.

Mr. Heleman also has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendment is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of adopting the amendment will be helping ensure that the travel expenses incurred by state officers and employees are paid or reimbursed in accordance with applicable law. The proposed amendment would not have an adverse effect on small businesses or micro-businesses. There is no significant economic cost to individuals who are required to comply with the proposed amendment.

Comments on the proposal may be addressed to Joani Bishop, Manager, Claims Division, P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Texas 78711. If a person wants to ensure that the comptroller considers and responds to a comment made about this proposal, then the person must ensure that the comptroller receives the comment not later than the 30th day after the issue date of the Texas Register in which this proposal appears. If the 30th day is a state or national holiday, Saturday, or Sunday, then the first workday after the 30th day is the deadline.

The amendments are proposed under Government Code, §660.021, which requires the comptroller to adopt rules to administer the Travel Regulations Act and the travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act.

The amendments implement Government Code, §403.248 and §660.001 - 660.208. The amendments also implement the following provisions of the General Appropriations Act: Article III, Sections 7, 9, and 12; Article IV, Section 9(a); Article IX, Sections 4.04(a), (e) - (f), 5.01 - 5.08, 6.19(b) - (c); Rider 31 in the appropriations to the Department of Aging and Disability Services; Rider 5 in the appropriations to the Department of Banking; Rider 3 in the appropriations to the Department of Criminal Justice; Rider 5 in the appropriations to the Department of Housing and Community Affairs; Rider 2 in the appropriations to the University of Houston System Administration; Rider 7 in the appropriations to the Department of Insurance; Rider 7 in the appropriations to the Texas Lottery Commission; Rider 3 in the appropriations to Midwestern State University; Rider 2 in the appropriations to the University of North Texas System Administration; Rider 18 in the appropriations to the Department of Public Safety; Rider 3 in the appropriations to the Racing Commission; Rider 3 in the appropriations to the Savings and Loan Department; Rider 9 in the appropriations to the secretary of state; Rider 14 in the appropriations to the Department of State Health Services; Rider 3 in the appropriations to Stephen F. Austin State University; Rider 2 in the appropriations to the Texas River Compact Commissions; Rider 9 in the appropriations to the Teacher Retirement System; Rider 2 in the appropriations to the Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices; Rider 4 in the appropriations to Texas Southern University; Rider 3 in the appropriations to Texas State Technical College System Administration; Rider 2 in the appropriations to the Board of Regents, Texas State University System Central Office; Rider 3 in the appropriations to The University of Texas System Administration; Rider 2 in the appropriations to Texas Tech University System Administration; Rider 3 in the appropriations to Texas Woman's University; and Rider 27 in the appropriations to the Texas Workforce Commission.