§ 74-456. Meetings of committees and subcommittees - Expenses - Per diem - Travel expenses - Association or organization membership dues.

A.  Committees and subcommittees of each house of the Legislature are hereby authorized to meet when the Legislature is not in session, subject to the approval of the presiding officer of the respective house.

B.  When the Legislature is not in session, members of the Legislature shall be reimbursed their expenses in attending meetings of committees and subcommittees of which they are members or to which they are invited by committee chairs and shall be reimbursed as provided in subsection C of this section for expenses for such meetings and such other legislative business as may be authorized by the rules or by resolution of the member's respective house.

C.  In addition to reimbursement for mileage as authorized by law, per diem in lieu of expenses in the amount of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) is hereby authorized for not to exceed twenty (20) days when the Legislature is not in session.  The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may authorize per diem for meetings exceeding twenty (20) days for members of their respective houses as they deem necessary.

D.  A per diem in lieu of expenses in the amount deductible without additional documentation pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, is hereby authorized for meetings outside the state by members, officers and employees of the Legislature.  A per diem in lieu of expenses in the amount deductible without additional documentation pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for the destination within the geographical area of travel is hereby authorized for official travel to high-rate geographical areas, as designated in Section 500.9 of this title, by members, officers and employees of the Legislature.  Provided, however, that members and employees of the Legislature may, in lieu of the above provisions, be reimbursed for out-of-state travel pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

E.  In addition to reimbursement allowed under subsection D of this section, reimbursement for out-of-state transportation costs shall be made at an amount not exceeding the cost of coach airplane fare.  Provided that reimbursement for travel by commercial airplane on a first-class basis may be made if coach-class space is not available within a reasonable time and is justified by attachments to claim for reimbursement.  Claims for reimbursement for first-class transportation by commercial airline shall be accompanied by the passenger's duplicate of airline ticket, or other airline receipt which includes information as to class of accommodation for which reimbursement is claimed.

F.  Members, officers and employees of the Legislature shall be reimbursed for any membership dues or fees paid to any association or organization connected with the performance of their duties with the state, upon the approval of the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

Added by Laws 1939, p. 20, § 6.  Amended by Laws 1949, p. 629, § 2; Laws 1963, c. 298, § 2; Laws 1965, c. 424, § 2; Laws 1967, c. 338, § 1, emerg. eff. May 18, 1967; Laws 1968, c. 113, § 2, emerg. eff. April 1, 1968; Laws 1969, c. 280, § 1, emerg. eff. April 25, 1969; Laws 1970, c. 284, § 4, emerg. eff. April 23, 1970; Laws 1971, c. 2, § 1, emerg. eff. Feb. 22, 1971; Laws 1975, c. 254, § 1, emerg. eff. June 5, 1975; Laws 1977, c. 97, § 1, emerg. eff. May 30, 1977; Laws 1979, c. 239, § 6, eff. July 1, 1979; Laws 1980, c. 282, § 1; Laws 1981, c. 272, § 30, eff. July 1, 1981; Laws 1995, c. 336, § 4, emerg. eff. June 8, 1995; Laws 1997, c. 384, § 17, eff. July 1, 1997.