The Comptroller of Public Accounts adopts an amendment to §5.22, concerning incorporation by reference: "State of Texas Travel Allowance Guide," without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 24, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 2551).

The amendment is necessary because of the issuance of a new "State of Texas Travel Allowance Guide" by the comptroller in December 1999. The new guide reflects changes made by the 76th legislature, regular session, 1999 to the Travel Regulations Act and 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 10 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.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the 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 amendment implements the Government Code, §§660.001-660.208. The amendment also implements the following provisions of the General Appropriations Act: Article III, §§7, 9, and 12; §§9-5.01 through 9-5.07; §9-5.10; Rider 10 in the appropriations to the Texas Lottery Commission; Rider 40 in the appropriations to the Department of Human Services; Rider 23 in the appropriations to the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services; Rider 78 in the appropriations to the Texas Education Agency; Rider 18 in the appropriations to the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation; and Rider 19 in the appropriations to the Department of Public Safety.