New House bill easier on government travel to meetings
A House committee approved a bill that caps federal spending on travel and conferences without many of the restrictions included in the DATA Act that was passed in April.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved HR4631 “Government Spending Accountability and Transparency Act” which caps federal spending on travel at 70 percent of fiscal year 2010 levels. The bill, introduced by Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.), also requires detailed itemized reports of federal conference spending, but does not limit federal agencies to one conference per organization annually. The proposal doesn’t allow for a waiver of the $500,000 limitation on conference spending.
The bill is not as restrictive on government employees to attend meetings by associations and other organizations. Although travel budgets would be cut, the bill allows private entities to pay or defray the costs for government employees to attend a meeting, according to ASAE.
Details: www.asaecenter.org.
