115-S78 Modernizing Government Travel Act

Legislation
Title	115-S78 Modernizing Government Travel Act
Congress	115
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Sec. 2

This bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to prescribe regulations to provide for the reimbursement of federal employees traveling on official business for the use of a transportation network company or innovative mobility technology. The Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall prescribe such regulations with respect to judicial branch employees.

An "innovative mobility technology company" is an entity that applies technology to expand and enhance available transportation choices, better manage demand for transportation services, and provide alternatives to driving alone.

A "transportation network company" is an entity that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers affiliated with such entity in order for a driver to provide transportation services to a rider.

Sec. 3

The bill revises the reporting requirements regarding payments pertaining to official travel.

By November 31 of each year, each agency shall submit to the GSA, in a format prescribed by it and approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), an analysis of the total costs of transportation service by type and the total number of trips utilizing each transportation type for purposes of official travel.

The GSA shall make the data submitted publicly available upon receipt.

By January 31 of each year, the GSA shall submit to the OMB and to specified congressional committees: (1) an analysis of the data submitted for specified agencies (as listed under a provision regarding the establishment of agency Chief Financial Officers), and (2) a description of any new regulations promulgated or changes to existing regulations authorized.

Bill Text

115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 78

To provide for reimbursement for the use of modern travel services by Federal employees traveling on official Government business, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 10, 2017 Mr. Lee (for himself, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Carper, Mr. Booker, and Mr. Johnson) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

A BILL To provide for reimbursement for the use of modern travel services by Federal employees traveling on official Government business, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Modernizing Government Travel Act”.

SEC. 2. FEDERAL EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENT FOR USE OF MODERN TRAVEL SERVICES.

(a) In General.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act—

(1) the Administrator of General Services shall prescribe regulations under section 5707 of title 5, United States Code, to provide for the reimbursement for the use of a transportation network company or innovative mobility technology company by a Federal employee traveling on official business under subchapter I of chapter 57 of such title; and

(2) the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall prescribe such regulations with respect to the reimbursement of employees of the judicial branch of the Government.

(b) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) INNOVATIVE MOBILITY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY.—The term “innovative mobility technology company” means an organization, including a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship, or any other entity, that applies technology to expand and enhance available transportation choices, better manage demand for transportation services, or provide alternatives to driving alone.

(2) TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY.—The term “transportation network company”—

(A) means a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers affiliated with the entity in order for the driver to transport the rider using a vehicle owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use by the driver to a point chosen by the rider; and

(B) does not include a shared-expense carpool or vanpool arrangement that is not intended to generate profit for the driver.

SEC. 3. REPORT ON TRANSPORTATION COSTS.

Section 5707(c) of title 5, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

“(c)(1) Not later than November 31 of each year, the head of each agency shall submit to the Administrator of General Services, in a format prescribed by the Administrator and approved by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget—

“(A) data on total agency payments for such items as travel and transportation of people, average costs and durations of trips, and purposes of official travel;

“(B) data on estimated total agency payments for employee relocation; and

“(C) an analysis of—

“(i) the total costs of transportation service by type; and

“(ii) the total number of trips using each transportation type for purposes of official travel.

“(2) The Administrator of General Services shall make the data and analyses submitted under paragraph (1) publically available upon receipt.

“(3) Not later than January 31 of each year, the Administrator of General Services shall submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the Senate—

“(A) an examination of the data and analyses submitted under paragraph (1) for the agencies listed in section 901(b) of title 31;

“(B) a survey of such data and analyses for each agency not listed in section 901(b) of title 31; and

“(C) a description of any regulations promulgated, or changes to regulations promulgated, under this section during the previous year.”.

Resources

Link to 114th Congress bill page https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/78/ Link to 115th Congress bill page]