APPLICABILITY

(a) This chapter, the General Appropriations Act, and the rules adopted by the comptroller under this chapter govern the procedures, amounts, timing, limits, required documentation, permissible payees, distinctions among different types of state employees, and all other details concerning travel expense payments or reimbursements by a state agency. (b) Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (d), this chapter and the travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act apply to a travel expense only to the extent that appropriated funds are used to pay or reimburse the expense. (c) This chapter and the travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act apply to a travel expense paid or reimbursed by the Employees Retirement System of Texas or the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, regardless of whether the funds used to make the payment or reimbursement are appropriated funds. (d) A law outside this chapter that states that this chapter, the travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act, or both, apply to a travel expense prevails over a provision to the contrary in this chapter. (e) A state agency may pay or reimburse a travel expense only if: (1) the expense is reasonable and necessary; (2) the purpose of the travel clearly involves official state business and is consistent with the agency's legal authority; (3) the expense and the travel during which the expense is incurred comply with: (A) this chapter; (B) the rules adopted by the comptroller under this chapter; and (C) the travel provisions of the General Appropriations Act; and (4) for travel outside the state, the travel is approved in advance in accordance with the policy of the state agency that proposes to pay or reimburse the expense. (f) A travel expense may be paid or reimbursed according to the requirements of an applicable federal law or regulation, and this chapter does not apply to the extent necessary to avoid conflict with an applicable federal law or regulation. (g) A state agency may pay or reimburse a travel expense for the rental, lease, or operation of aircraft only if the transportation under the rental, lease, or operation meets the criteria provided by Section 2205.036.