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Panel approves due pass for OMB bill to align state hotel and mileage rules with federal rates
Summary
The committee voted 4-0 to give Senate Bill 2,084 a due pass after hearing from the bill sponsor, Senator Kristin Roers, and fiscal staff; the bill would align state employee interim hotel reimbursement with the federal GSA per diem, create a waiver process when state rates are unavailable, and adjust the legislative monthly housing rate.
The Appropriations - Government Operations Division on Feb. 3 voted unanimously to give Senate Bill 2,084 a due pass recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The bill, carried in committee by Senator Kristin Roers, would align state employees' interim hotel reimbursement with the federal General Services Administration (GSA) per diem rate, create a documented waiver process when the state rate is not available, and change the legislative monthly housing rate.
Why it matters: The bill changes state travel and lodging reimbursement mechanics that affect state employees and legislators who travel or reside temporarily during legislative sessions, potentially increasing near-term lodging costs but reducing administrative friction when federal rates change.
Key provisions and fiscal notes
Senator Kristin Roers (District 27) told the committee the bill would match the state hotel rate to the federal GSA rate to simplify administration and ease booking for state employees and the hospitality industry. The bill also sets a process for documenting that an employee attempted to obtain state rates and had to choose the cheapest available room when the state rate was not offered.
Roers said the bill also adjusts the legislative monthly housing rate: the bill moves the legislative monthly session rate to 75% of the state rate (previously expressed in statute as 70% of 90% in some code language), producing a modest monthly increase for some legislators who rely on private housing or hotel stays during session.
Committee members asked about the fiscal impact and the office that prepares the fiscal note. Joe Gopen, who has been present at state and local government committee hearings, was identified as a source for the fiscal estimate. Committee discussion referenced a fiscal-note estimate for added costs described in committee as approximately $350,000 from the general fund and $2.58 million from other funds, but committee staff said that figure represented only the incremental impact of the change and not the total lodging cost and that the fiscal note may be updated to reflect amendments adopted in committee.
Vote and procedural action
Senator Dwyer moved a due-pass recommendation; Senator Burkhart seconded. Committee roll call recorded the following votes: Senator Wontzick —Aye—; Senator Burkhart —Aye—; Senator Dwyer —Aye—; Senator Siegler —Aye—. The motion passed 4-0, and the bill will be carried forward to full appropriations.
Ending
Sponsor Senator Roers and committee members said the bill aims to simplify reimbursement administration and reduce the need for statutory updates when federal mileage or per diem rates change. Committee staff and the sponsor agreed to follow up on the fiscal note and the single remaining vendor/IT question before the bill reaches the floor.
