[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63748-63749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31526]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

[Treasury Directive Number 74-13]


Premium-Class Travel, Authority Delegation

Dated: November 24, 1997.
    1. Purpose. This Directive establishes policy and responsibilities 
for the approval of premium-class transportation accommodations, in 
accordance with Chapters 301 and 304 of the Federal Travel Regulation 
(FTR) (41 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) parts 301 and 304) and 
White House and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance on 
perquisites.
    2. Definitions. The terms ``premium-class,'' ``first-class,'' 
``reasonably available,'' and ``security reasons'' are defined in FTR 
301.3 (41 CFR 301.3).
    3. Scope.
    a. This Directive applies to all bureaus, the Departmental Offices 
(DO), and the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for travel by officers 
and employees of the Department when they travel in support of the 
Department's programs, including programs funded from sources other 
than appropriations, e.g., fees or assessments. It also applies to 
travel paid for by a non-Federal source pursuant to FTR Chapter 304 (41 
CFR part 304), and to travel by persons other than employees whose 
travel is on an invitational basis and paid for by the Department.
    b. Neither this Directive nor the restrictions on premium-class 
travel apply to travel:
    (1) for which an employee is reimbursed by certain tax exempt 
organizations or a State, county, or municipality, incident to 
attendance at meetings, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 4111;
    (2) which is accepted by an employee pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 7342, 
concerning foreign gifts and decorations; or
    (3) for a partisan purpose in the case of an employee who is exempt 
from the statutory prohibitions on partisan political activity, and the 
travel is not paid for with Government funds.
    4. Policy. It is the policy of the Department of the Treasury that:
    a. prior authorization by the Assistant Secretary for Management 
and Chief Financial Officer is required for first-class travel in all 
bureaus, except for U.S. Secret Service (USSS) agents on protective 
missions;
    b. first-class travel shall not be authorized, unless no other 
commercial service is reasonably available, or such travel is necessary 
for reasons of disability or physical impairment, or for security 
reasons, as these terms are defined in FTR 301-3.3 (41 CFR 301-3.3); 
and
    c. first-class airline accommodations shall not be authorized or 
approved when obtained as an accommodations upgrade through the 
redemption of frequent traveler benefits accumulated while traveling on 
official business, unless the first-class accommodations are justified 
independently under the FTR (41 CFR part 301).
    5. Responsibilities For First-Class Travel. The Deputy Assistant 
Secretary (Administration), Heads of Bureaus, and the Inspector 
General:
    a. shall submit Treasury Department Form (TD F) 70-02.6, ``First-
Class Travel Request and Authorization,'' by mail or facsimile (FAX) to 
the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer at 
least ten working days prior to travel for review and authorization, 
unless extenuating circumstances or emergency situations make advance 
authorization impossible. If advance authorization cannot be obtained, 
the traveler shall obtain written authorization at the earliest 
possible time;
    b. except as specifically permitted under paragraph 6., shall not 
authorize, pay for, or reimburse employees or others for the use of 
first-class travel accommodations without the prior authorization of 
the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer; and
    c. shall submit an annual report on all approved first-class travel 
that began during the fiscal year to the Deputy, Chief Financial 
Officer (DCFO), Office of Accounting and Internal Control, DO, 
(Attention: Travel Program Coordinator). The report is due to the 
General Services Administration by November 30 of each year. See FTR 
301-3.3(e) (41 CFR 301-3.3) for data collection and submission 
requirements. Negative reports are required in writing.
    6. Exceptions.
    a. The Director, USSS, is delegated authority to approve first-
class travel accommodations solely with respect to Secret Service 
agents' protective details when necessary for security reasons. Such 
approval does not require the advance or subsequent authorization by

[[Page 63749]]

the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer. The 
Director may redelegate this authority, in writing, only to the Deputy 
Director.
    b. To the extent that information is protected from disclosure by 
statute or Executive Order, data shall be submitted by the Director, 
USSS, in accordance with FTR 301-3.3(e)(4) (41 CFR 301-3.3(e)(4)), as 
prescribed in paragraph 5.c. herein.
    7. Other Premium-Class Travel Accommodations. The Deputy Assistant 
Secretary (Administration), Heads of Bureaus, and the Inspector General 
are delegated authority to approve premium-class other than first-class 
transportation accommodations when such accommodations meet the 
criteria in FTR 301-3.3 (41 CFR 301-3.3). This authority may be 
redelegated, in writing, only to the principal deputy, with the 
exception of:
    a. the USSS, who may redelegate to the Assistant Special Agent in 
Charge (ASAIC), Office of Administration; and
    b. the U.S. Customs Service, who may redelegate to the U.S. Customs 
Service Assistant Commissioners, Offices of Investigations and Internal 
Affairs for covert investigative assignments only. Use of premium-class 
other than first-class accommodations shall be approved only when use 
of such accommodations is clearly consistent with the criteria in the 
FTR; the justification on the travel authorization should address any 
additional costs involved. Approval of business-class accommodations by 
a non-Federal source shall be in accordance with FTR Chapter 304 (41 
CFR part 304). Further, in situations where the business-class travel 
accommodations are provided by a non-Federal source on a reimbursement, 
rather than an in-kind basis, the use of premium-class other than 
first-class must be justified independently and in accordance with the 
criteria in FTR 301-3.3 (41 CFR 301-3.3). The use of premium-class 
other than first-class airline accommodations for ``security purposes 
or exceptional circumstances'' as permitted by FTR 301-3.3(d)(5)(iv) 
(41 CFR 301-3.3(d)(5)(iv)) shall be strictly limited to those 
situations where their use is essential to the successful performance 
of the agency's mission.
    8. Supply of Forms. TD F 70-02.6 may be obtained from the Records 
Management and Resources Branch, DO, or by submitting a printing 
requisition through the bureau forms control manager to the DCFO, 
Office of Accounting and Internal Control, DO.
    9. Authorities.
    a. President's Memorandum of February 10, 1993, ``Restricted Use of 
Government Aircraft.''
    b. OMB Bulletin 93-11, ``Fiscal Responsibility and Reducing 
Perquisites,'' dated April 19, 1993.
    c. FTR Chapter 301-3 (41 CFR 301.3), ``Use of Commercial 
Transportation,'' and Chapter 304 (41 CFR Part 304), ``Payment from a 
Non-Federal Source for Travel Expenses.''
    d. 5 U.S.C. 4111, ``Acceptance of Contributions, Awards, and Other 
Payments.''
    e. 5 U.S.C. 7342, ``Receipt and Disposition of Foreign Gifts and 
Decorations.''
    10. Cancellation. Treasury Directive 74-13, ``Premium-Class 
Travel,'' dated October 26, 1994, is superseded.
    11. Expiration Date. This Directive expires three years after the 
date of issuance unless superseded or canceled by that date.
    12. Offices of Primary Interest. Office of Accounting and Internal 
Control; Office of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer; Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer.
Nancy Killefer,
Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer.
[FR Doc. 97-31526 Filed 12-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-25-P