§36-7-21. Allowances of persons traveling in service of the state; travel authorization.

(a) Persons traveling in the service of the state or any of its departments, institutions, boards, bureaus, commissions, councils, committees, or other agencies, outside the State of Alabama or within the State of Alabama for purposes of attending or assisting in hosting a convention, conference, seminar, or other meeting of a national organization of which the state is a dues-paying member that is held within the state shall be allowed all of their actual and necessary expenses in addition to the actual expenses for transportation. In-state travel authorized under this section is subject to the same documentation requirements as out-of-state travel. Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e), the travel shall first be fully authorized in writing by the Governor.

(b) With respect to the Legislative Department, members of the Legislature, subordinate officers and employees of the Legislature, the directors and employees of the Legislature, the directors and employees of the Legislative Reference Service, Legislative Fiscal Office, and Examiners of Public Accounts, travel shall be authorized in writing by the Lieutenant Governor, for the Lieutenant Governor and members of the Senate, by the Speaker of the House, for the Speaker of the House and members of the House of Representatives, by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House for subordinate officers and employees of the Legislature, and by the directors for the directors and employees of the legislative departments.

(c) With respect to the Judicial Department and the officers and employees thereof, travel shall be authorized in writing by the Chief Justice.

(d) Persons representing institutions of higher learning shall receive authority for such travel from the presidents of the institution. Institutions of higher education may elect to prepay travel expenses for persons traveling in the service of the state.

(e) Persons representing the state Department of Agriculture and Industries shall receive authorization for such travel from the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.

(f) This section shall not apply to examiners or other persons designated by the Commissioner of Insurance to examine or cause to be examined insurance corporations qualified or attempting to qualify in this state when the expense incurred by the examiner shall be paid by or collected or received from insurers or persons examined under Section 27-2-25.

(Acts 1969, No. 470, p. 912, §2; Acts 1971, No. 2051, p. 3289, §1; Acts 1971, No. 2487, p. 3983, §1; Acts 1971, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 312, p. 4603, §1; Acts 1979, No. 79-539, p. 971, §1; Acts 1981, No. 81-561, p. 945, §1; Acts 1982, No. 82-431, p. 681, §1; Act 2000-678, p. 1381, §1; Act 2005-251, 1st Sp. Sess., p. 462, §1.)