Proposed lodging rate changes for federal fiscal year 2021 have been submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) for their review.  Such a review is necessary before changes in State of Arizona lodging rates can be adopted under A.R.S. §§ 38-623 and 38-624.  The rate changes were not approved to be heard by the JLBC again this fiscal year.  The lodging rates published in SAAM 5095 remain the maximum amounts State travelers may be reimbursed for lodging.

There were no changes to Federal meal and incidental rates for the Contiguous United States (CONUS), so no changes to State of Arizona meal and incidental rates will be made.

Travelers, their supervisors, their managers, and those who book travel arrangements are encouraged to do their best to find and book lodging at the rates that have been in effect since October 1, 2018.  Such efforts would include using Internet booking sites (e.g. Booking.com, Kayak, Priceline, Hotels.com, Expedia, TripAdvisor), finding less convenient lodging alternatives, arranging travel through online marketplaces (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo and Simpli), and/or negotiating with lodging facilities, etc. Sometimes, travelers have had more positive results by making phone calls to lodging facilities rather than just relying on posted rates found online.

If these efforts prove unsuccessful, a travel exception may be requested using the Form GAO-515, Request for Travel Policy Exception Requiring the

Approval of the State Comptroller or Designee, and emailing it as an attachment to [email protected].  See SAAM 0015, Exceptions to Policy, for additional information.

It is in the best interests of the State to save money on travel.  When practicable, exceptions should be requested at least ten business days prior to travel.

Comments, corrections, complaints and compliments should be emailed to [email protected].  Please include the number of the SAAM section and relevant paragraph(s) (SAAM NNNN-nn.nn.nn) in the subject line.