Feds can stay at pricier hotels during conferences

Federal travelers attending conferences can stay at hotels up to 25 percent more expensive than the standard per diem rate would allow, under regulations announced by the General Services Administration Monday.

The new rule, which takes effect Jan. 14, is designed to make it easier for federal travelers to stay at hotels where conferences are being held. Conferences are typically held at three- and four-star hotels, while federal per diem rates are based on lodging costs at two- and three-star hotels. In the past, many federal travelers had to book rooms in less expensive hotels and then commute each morning to the pricier hotels where conferences were being held.

Under the new rule, a traveler attending a conference in Washington, D.C. could be reimbursed for a hotel room that cost $147.50, even though the standard maximum lodging rate for Washington is $118.

GSA also revised its regulation on refreshments at government-sponsored conferences. Under previous rules, agencies were not allowed to provide light refreshments for employees at government expense. Employees had to buy refreshments themselves. Under the new regulation, the government can provide light refreshments at no cost to conference attendees.

After GSA proposed the refreshment rule change in September, one commenter suggested that light refreshments be defined to prevent abuse of the new authority.

In the final rule, GSA said light refreshments include, but are not limited to, "coffee, tea, milk, juice, soft drinks, doughnuts, bagels, fruit, pretzels, cookies, chips or muffins."

The new regulations were announced in the Jan. 10 Federal Register.