19-4-904. Exempt persons and agencies.

19-4-904. Exempt persons and agencies. (a)(1) The limitations of this subchapter relating to travel rules shall not be applicable to: (A) Except as provided in § 19-4-903(b), the constitutional or elective officials and their employees; or (B) Official guests of the state. (2) The provisions of this subchapter shall not be used to supersede or set aside the provisions of law providing for fixed allowances, established amounts for per diem, or to special travel privileges provided by law for specific purposes when the allowances exceed those authorized in this subchapter. (b)(1) Personal reimbursement will not be allowed to any state official, state employee, or any other person traveling on official business for expenses covering personal entertainment, flowers, valet service, laundry and cleaning, or other personal expenses, as those expenses shall be defined in the state travel rules. All such persons shall be required to submit their travel reimbursement requests upon forms prescribed by the Department of Finance and Administration, itemized in such detail as shall be necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this section. (2) The tip reimbursement amount shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the meal amount expended. (3) The total reimbursement for meals and tips shall not exceed the maximum rates prescribed by the Financial Management Guide published by the Office of Accounting of the Department of Finance and Administration. (c) The cost of meals, lodging, and mileage of state employees who are designated by a supervisor or agency director to attend official or special board meetings or other functions recognized as being in the performance of their official duties may be paid either as reimbursement to the employee or on direct billing, in the case of meals and lodging, subject to approval of the superior. (d) It is recognized that within the state-supported institutions of higher education there exists an obligatory inherent cost of providing travel expenses for a group or number of students who, when accompanied by those who instruct the students in the fundamentals of a competitive sport and direct team strategy, must travel and be recognized as a cohesive unit representing not only their institution, but exemplifying the State of Arkansas in their behavior, attitudes, interests, presentation, and conduct. In these circumstances the payment of group travel expenses, including those of students and employees, may be authorized as follows: (1) Meals and lodging; (2) Transportation; (3) Entertainment, within reasonable limits, to ease the pressure on students of their objectives; (4) Costs of group activities, including gratuities, laundry, cleaning, and favors; and (5) Other personal expenses to be paid only from auxiliary funds not inconsistent with standards, rules, or prohibitions established by recognized national or state governing associations pertaining to the respective students and employees and the institutions they are representing.