Proposed lodging rate changes for federal fiscal year 2024 were submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) for their review. Such a review is required before changes in State of Arizona lodging rates can be adopted under A.R.S. §§ 38-623 and 38-624. The JLBC is not having a September meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for October.

The lodging rates published in SAAM 5095 effective January 9, 2023 will remain the maximum amounts state travelers may be reimbursed for lodging.

There were no changes to the federal meal and incidental rates for the Contiguous United States (CONUS); no changes to the 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 January 9, 2023. Such efforts would include using FedRooms, internet booking sites (e.g., Booking.com, Hotels.com, Kayak, Priceline, Expedia, TripAdvisor, etc.), 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 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 the completed request with all required signatures as an attachment to [email protected]. See SAAM 0015, Exceptions to Policy, for additional information.

It is in the best interest of the state to save money on travel. When practicable, exceptions should be requested at least ten days prior to travel. If lodging cannot be found at the state rate, when practicable, lodging should be found within the federal rates.

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