Okla. Stat. tit. 74, § 74-85.45l

Exceptions.

A. Each state agency, board, commission or other entity

organized within the executive department of state government shall

use the Trip Optimizer system of the Office of Management and

Enterprise Services in computing the optimum method and cost for

travel by state employees using a motor vehicle where the travel

will exceed one hundred (100) miles per day and the employee is not

driving a state-owned or -leased dedicated vehicle. For purposes of

this section, "dedicated vehicle" means a vehicle that has been

assigned to the employee.

B. The provisions of this section shall be used to determine

the most cost-effective method of travel by motor vehicles, whether

such vehicles are owned by the agency, leased by the agency or by

the employee, and shall be applicable for purposes of determining

the maximum authorized amount of any travel reimbursement for

employees of such agencies related to vehicle usage.

C. A nonappropriated state agency, that employs persons who use

personal vehicles as part of their regular duties and who are

reimbursed for travel expenses by the agency shall not be required

to utilize the Trip Optimizer system with regard to the travel

expenses of such employees. As used in this section,

"nonappropriated state agency" means an entity within the executive

branch of government that does not receive any of its funding

through the annual legislative appropriations process.

D. The maximum authorized amount of travel reimbursement

related to vehicle usage shall be the lowest cost option as

determined by the Trip Optimizer system. All travel claims

submitted for reimbursement shall include the results of the Trip

Optimizer system indicating the lowest cost option for travel by the

state employee.

E. State employees may be exempt from the reimbursement

requirements of the Trip Optimizer system, provided the state

employees utilize a personally owned vehicle and seek reimbursement

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 196

according to the schedule referenced in subsection F of this

section.

F. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall

publish a schedule of reimbursement rates for state employee travel.

The schedule may apply to exemptions claimed under subsection E of

this section. The schedule may categorize reimbursement rates by

type of vehicle and shall not exceed standard mileage reimbursement

rates as established by the Internal Revenue Service.

G. In providing a calculation of rates, the Trip Optimizer

system shall account for the distance that an employee must travel

to pick up a rental or state fleet vehicle.

H. In providing a calculation of rates, the Trip Optimizer

system shall account for the long-term rate discounts offered

through the state's purchasing contract for vehicle rentals.