38-623. Means of travel; rates

A. Travel by air, railroad or motor vehicle is permitted. Railroad sleeping accommodations shall be considered as transportation, and the cost of railroad sleeping accommodations may be allowed each person traveling. Private conveyance may be allowed for travel inside and outside this state by way of the most direct regularly traveled route computed by highway map or odometer reading when traveling by motor vehicle, or if by airplane, by the most direct air mileage route listed by the civil aeronautics board. Expenses for transportation by private conveyances used for travel outside this state shall be reimbursed at the lesser of either the rate set by the department of administration or air coach fare to the same destination. Travel by rented or chartered motor vehicle or airplane shall be paid at the cost of the travel.

B. When a private conveyance is used outside this state, a transportation expense shall not be allowed as provided for in subsection A, unless authority is delegated in writing by the director of the department of administration, or in the case of a university employee, by the president of the respective university, if the authority is delegated by the governor, or unless otherwise provided by law.

C. When one or more officers, employees or other public agents traveling on official business are transported in the same private conveyance, one mileage only may be allowed.

D. The department of administration shall set rates of reimbursement for state travel by motor vehicle and by airplane as provided in this section. In setting the rates the department of administration shall consider amounts established by the United States internal revenue service as acceptable for income tax purposes without further documentation. No increase or decrease from the current rate established by the department of administration shall be effective until approved by the joint legislative budget committee.