Download This Bill in Microsoft Word format
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
H. 4176
STATUS INFORMATION
Joint Resolution
Sponsors: Rep. King
Document Path: l:\council\bills\nbd\11579htc10.docx
Introduced in the House on January 12, 2010
Currently residing in the House Committee on Ways and Means
Summary: State travel reimbursement
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11/17/2009 House Prefiled 11/17/2009 House Referred to Committee on Ways and Means 1/12/2010 House Introduced and read first time HJ-19 1/12/2010 House Referred to Committee on Ways and Means HJ-19
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON REIMBURSEMENTS PAID IN CONNECTION WITH ALL NONESSENTIAL STATE EMPLOYEE TRAVEL AND ASSOCIATED MEALS AND LODGING THROUGH JUNE 30, 2010, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES OF THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD SHALL PUBLISH GUIDELINES DEFINING ESSENTIAL TRAVEL QUALIFYING FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
Whereas, the steep decline in state revenues attributable to the current economic downturn and the reduction in appropriations for state agencies necessary to maintain the constitutionally mandated balanced state budget has resulted in deep cuts in nearly the entire range of state services; layoffs, salary reductions, and furlough days for many state employees; and reduced flow-through state aid to school districts and political subdivisions; and
Whereas, in meeting the challenges of these straitened financial circumstances for the state, one area of expense that still presents a target for savings is on reimbursements paid for all nonessential state employee travel and the reimbursements for meals and lodging resulting from such travel. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, including specifically Section 89.24, Part IB, Act 23 of 2009 (the general appropriations act for fiscal year 2009-2010), no reimbursements may be paid for nonessential state employee travel, meals, and lodging through June 30, 2010. The State Budget and Control Board, through its Office of Human Resources, (OHR) within ten days from the effective date of this joint resolution shall publish guidelines defining essential travel qualifying for reimbursement. In making that determination, the OHR shall begin with the presumption that all travel is nonessential and that presumption may only be overcome by a specific finding that a specific category of travel qualifies as essential and eligible to be reimbursed. All state agencies are bound by the OHR guidelines regardless of the source of funds available to the agency to pay travel expenses.
SECTION 2. This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor and applies for travel otherwise scheduled to occur after publication of the OHR guidelines required pursuant to SECTION 1 of this joint resolution.
This web page was last updated on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 10:25 A.M.