While this administration is firmly committed to preserving the state’s economic resources and regularly examining the state’s assets and expenditures, the necessity for fiscal responsibility is particularly acute now, due to the state’s budget crisis. Current budgetary conditions warrant an examination of the state’s travel expenditures. Accordingly, I direct:

I. MORATORIUM ON OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL

A. Effective immediately and continuing until such time as this Directive is revoked or superceded, a moratorium is imposed on out-of-state travel financed by state funds. An exception to the moratorium is permitted if one or more of the following apply:

1. The travel is required by a legal mandate, court order, or for mandatory law enforcement activities.
2. The travel is necessary to protect the health or safety of Michigan citizens or visitors.
3. The travel is necessary to produce budgetary savings or increased state revenues, including the prevention of the loss of federal funds or securing additional federal funds.
4. The travel is wholly financed by federal funds.

B. Department directors and autonomous agency heads are responsible for determining situations where additional exceptions to the moratorium on out-of-state travel are warranted and securing authorization from the State Budget Director to proceed with the travel.

C. Upon mutual agreement between an officer or employee and a department or agency, individuals may travel on state business at personal expense, without reimbursement.

II. IN-STATE TRAVEL REDUCTION

A. By April 18, 2003, each department director and autonomous agency head shall submit a plan acceptable to the State Budget Director to reduce in-state travel expenditures by 10% for the remainder of the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2003. When approved by the State Budget Director, the department or agency shall implement the in-state travel reduction expenditure plan. Reductions required under this section are not applicable to the following in-state travel:

1. Travel required by a legal mandate, court order, or for mandatory law enforcement activities.
2. Travel necessary to protect the health or safety of Michigan citizens or visitors.
3. Travel necessary to produce budgetary savings or increased state revenues, including the prevention of the loss of federal funds or securing additional federal funds.
4. Travel wholly funded by federal funds.

III. REIMBURSEMENT OF JUDICIAL TRAVEL

A. Department directors and autonomous agency heads shall prepare interaccount billings to charge the State Court Administrative Office or the appropriate court for any travel by a justice, judge, or judicial staff financed from any appropriations for an Executive Branch department or agency. Copies of the billings shall be submitted to State Budget Director for compilation of a state-wide report.

B. This section applies to all travel funded by Executive Branch appropriations in Fiscal Year 2002-2003 and to all travel funded from Executive Branch appropriations in subsequent fiscal years.

IV. REIMBURSEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE TRAVEL

A. Department directors and autonomous agency heads shall prepare interaccount billings to charge to the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, for any travel by a legislator or legislative staff financed from any appropriations for an Executive Branch department or agency. Copies of the billings shall be submitted to State Budget Director for compilation of a state-wide report.

B. This section applies to all travel funded by Executive Branch appropriations in Fiscal Year 2002-2003 and to all travel funded from Executive Branch appropriations in subsequent fiscal years.

V. TELECONFERENCING AND WEB-BASED CONFERENCING AS ALTERNATIVE TO TRAVEL

A. By May 30, 2003, each department director and autonomous agency head shall establish procedures to encourage the use of teleconferencing, video conferencing, and/or web-based conferencing as an alternative to travel, when financially prudent. The current budget situation demands that only the most essential travel occur. Whenever teleconferencing, video conferencing, and/or web-based conferencing is a cost-effective alternative to travel, its use should be encouraged. Copies of the procedures implemented by each department or agency shall be submitted to the Director of the Department of Management and Budget for compilation of a state-wide report.

Your cooperation in complying with this Directive is appreciated.