Md. Code Regs. 23.02.01.12

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 23.02.01.12 - Reimbursable Expenses

A. General. The State shall reimburse employees for authorized necessary travel and related expenses incurred by the employee. The State may not reimburse an employee for transportation, lodging, meal expense, or any other costs incurred by a spouse, child, or other person not essential to the business mission, who accompanies the employee on an official business trip. For reimbursement of travel expenses, including meals and expenses other than authorized tips, employees must provide receipts.

B. Taxi, Bus, and Airport Limousine. Taxi, bus, shuttle, and airport limousine fares incurred while on travel status are reimbursable when traveling to and from the airport, train station, or bus station, or when otherwise incurred while conducting official business. Employees may be reimbursed for tips for taxis, buses, shuttles, and airport limousines at rates and limits established by the Secretary. Employees shall use the mode of public transportation that results in the lowest logical cost to the State.

C. Rental Cars.

(1) Subject to approval by the unit head or designee, employees may rent cars while on travel status when other means of transportation are unavailable, more costly, or impractical. The lowest cost vehicle necessary to achieve the traveler's mission shall be reserved. Upon written notification to the unit head, all car rental reservations shall be made through the State travel services contractor, except as provided in Regulation .08B, of this chapter.

(2) In addition to the cost of the rental, the employee shall be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses incurred for the following items:

(a) Gasoline, oil, and emergency repairs;

(b) Parking;

(c) Toll charges.

D. Lodging.

(1) This section shall be effective upon written notification by the Secretary to the unit head. Employees shall make all lodging reservations through the State travel services contractor, except as provided in Regulation .08B, of this chapter, when official business requires the employee to remain away from home overnight. Field staff employees shall make in-State lodging reservations through the State travel services contractor whenever practical.

(2) Reimbursement shall be in an amount equal to the actual cost of the least expensive available rate for reasonable accommodations based on single occupancy.

(3) In cases of double occupancy by two State employees, each employee shall be reimbursed 50 percent of the total room charge.

(4) In cases of double occupancy when one of the occupants is not on State business, lodging reimbursement shall be on the basis of the least expensive available rate for reasonable accommodations based on single occupancy.

E. Meals.

(1) Meal allowances for employees while in travel status are reimbursable at the rates established by the Secretary. All meal rates are inclusive of taxes and tips.

(2) When an employee is in travel status involving absence from home overnight, all meals are reimbursable.

(3) Reimbursement may not be made for the cost of alcoholic beverages.

(4) The cost of breakfast is reimbursable when an employee in travel status has to leave home on official business 2 hours or more before the beginning time of the employee's place of business. The cost of dinner is reimbursable when an employee in travel status cannot get home within 2 hours after the employee's normal quitting time. In both cases, the 2 hours are in addition to the normal commuting time.

(5) In cases when an employee meets both of the conditions of §E(4), of this regulation, and is in travel status for the entire day, but not overnight, the employee's lunch also is reimbursable.

(6) Reimbursement for either breakfast or dinner may not be made because of the hour at which an employee is required to leave home, or at which the employee returns home, because of commuting to and from the employee's normal place or places of employment.

(7) When a State institution, as a matter of practice, charges an employee for meals regardless of whether the employee eats a particular meal, and the employee is required to be absent from the institution on official business at mealtime, the employee shall be reimbursed to the extent of the cost of the meal charged to the employee by the institution.

(8) Except as provided in §E(2), (4), (5), and (7), of this regulation, an employee may not be reimbursed for the cost of lunch.

(9) If the registration fee for a conference, convention, seminar, or training meeting includes the cost of meals, the State shall reimburse the employee for the full registration fee. For this meeting, the employee may not request reimbursement for the included meals.

(10) Members of boards and commissions established by statute who do not receive compensation from the State may be reimbursed for actual and necessary meal expenses incurred while on official State business. Reimbursable meal expenses including tips may not exceed amounts established by the Secretary.

(11) Meal reimbursement above the standard limits is allowable for employees conducting business in high cost areas designated by the Secretary.

(12) Meal reimbursement above the standard limits is allowable for employees on travel status outside the United States and its territories upon submission of itemized receipts approved by the unit head or the unit head's designee.

F. Conference Registration Fees. When a registration fee is charged, participating State officials or employees shall be reimbursed upon submission of a receipt.

G. Porter Fees and Hotel Tips.

(1) Porter fees and hotel tips per each bag carried at common carrier depots and hotels respectively are reimbursable at the rates and limits established by the Secretary.

(2) The same per bag tip is reimbursable when checking into and checking out of a hotel.

(3) The State will not reimburse for tips for hotel housekeeping services.

H. Telephone and Postage Expenses. Telephone and postage expenses incurred in the performance of official duties are allowable.

I. Cleaning Expenses. When an official or employee is required to be on travel status for a period exceeding 5 working days, the cost of necessary laundry, cleaning, and pressing is reimbursable.

J. Expenses for Passports, Visas, and Traveler's Checks. If incurred as a result of the performance of official duties, fees for passports, visas, and traveler's checks are reimbursable upon submission of a receipt.

Md. Code Regs. 23.02.01.12

Regulation .12 amended effective 41:11 Md. R. 606, eff.6/9/2014
Regulation .12E amended effective July 1, 1989 (16:12 Md. R. 1338); January 31, 2005 (32:2 Md. R. 148)
Regulation .12J adopted effective July 1, 1989 (16:12 Md. R. 1338)