Section 69I-42.004 - Conferences and Conventions(1) No public funds shall be expended for attendance at conferences or conventions unless: (a) The main purpose of the conference or convention is in connection with the official business of the state and directly related to the performance of the statutory duties and responsibilities of the agency participating;(b) The activity provides a direct educational or other benefit supporting the work and public purpose of the person attending;(c) The duties and responsibilities of the traveler attending such meetings are compatible with the objectives of the particular conference or convention; and(d) The request for payment of travel expenses is otherwise in compliance with these rules.(2) An Authorization to Incur Travel Expenses, Form DFS-AA-13, shall be completed for each person who will be attending a conference or convention, which shall include a statement of the benefits accruing to the State of Florida by virtue of his attendance. This statement of benefits shall also be included on the Voucher for Reimbursement of Travel Expenses, DFS-AA-15, or a copy of Form DFS-AA-13 shall be provided. The original Form DFS-AA-13 shall be filed at the agency.(3) A copy of only those pages of the program or agenda of the conference or convention itemizing the registration fees and any meals or lodging included in the registration fee shall be attached to the Form DFS-AA-15, and submitted for payment or shall be maintained at the agency.(4) Agencies may pay the registration fee directly to the conference or convention sponsor or allow the traveler to include the registration fee in the calculation of his travel costs and reimburse the traveler.(a) Requests for direct payment of a registration fee by the agency shall be vouchered in favor of the conference or convention sponsor or designee, shall list the traveler as an subvendor, including the traveler's social security number, name, appropriate travel object code, and cost of registration (pay and charge voucher). The voucher shall include a copy of the conference or convention registration form and a statement of the benefits accruing to the State by virtue of the traveler's attendance.(b) Direct payment of registration fees shall not be requested earlier than twenty workdays before the travel period is to begin unless written justification of the circumstances which necessitate an exception to this restriction is submitted to and approved by the Chief Financial Officer. Criteria for approval shall include discount for earlier payment and earlier payment required for a reservation.(c) Agencies and travelers shall carefully evaluate the circumstances and risk of cancellation prior to making direct payment of a registration fee, in order to avoid or minimize any cancellation penalty or risk of loss of funds.(d) If direct payment of a registration fee is made by an agency, the traveler's travel voucher shall indicate "Registration Fee Paid Direct by Agency" and shall also comply with subsections (2) and (3) of this rule, by providing a statement of benefits to the State and a copy of the agenda of the conference or convention.(5) Registration fees will not be paid for intra-agency or interagency meetings, seminars and workshops. All expenses related to such gatherings must be processed as a regular expenditure of the appropriate agency. Registration fees may be paid to universities, the Department of Management Services or other agencies for routine training classes conducted for employees of other agencies.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 69I-42.004
Rulemaking Authority 17.075(1), 17.29, 112.061(9) FS. Law Implemented 17.075, 112.061, 215.42 FS.
New 3-5-90, Amended 1-8-95, 12-29-96, Formerly 3A-42.004.New 3-5-90, Amended 1-8-95, 12-29-96, Formerly 3A-42.004.