On Monday, 13 August 2018, the President signed the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. In the NDAA there is a section, entitled: “Prohibition on Per Diem Allowance Reductions Based on the Duration of Temporary Duty Assignment or Civilian Travel,” which includes a repeal of the authority to prescribe a reduced flat rate per diem for long-term temporary duty (TDY) travel. The policy effecting per diem became effective immediately. This means that flat rate per diem (for travel over 30 days) applies through midnight of the day BEFORE the Act was signed, and normal per diem rules apply as of the date of signature; this applies to members currently performing TDY.
It is critical that travelers be advised of this policy change. Effective immediately:
- Lodging receipts are required for all lodging payments.
- The actual cost of lodging (not to exceed the full locality lodging per diem rate) will be paid.
- Full meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) will no longer be reduced by 75% or 55%.
Procedural guidance for TPAX travel claim submission regarding the flat rate per diem is now available on PPC (tvl) website at https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/travel/.
RADM William G. Kelly
RADM WILLIAM G. KELLY
Assistant Commandant for Human Resources
Issue date: 8/17/2018