Idaho Bulletin 250-7-9

August 28, 2007

SUBJECT:  FNM - Travel Card Misuse

TO:  All Employees, NRCS, Idaho

Purpose.  To remind all employees of the consequences of misusing travel charge cards.

Expiration Date.  September 30, 2008

Background.  Travel charge cards, which have been issued to many NRCS employees, are mandatory for use in connection with official travel.  The USDA Government Travel Card Regulation, Departmental Regulation 2300-001, explains the Department’s Zero-Tolerance Policy regarding travel charge card misuse. 

Many NRCS employees have been issued travel charge cards for use in connection with official travel. 

Use of the card is mandatory, as is compliance with the Department’s Government Travel Card Regulation.  Employees who misuse their travel charge cards may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including removal.

Each cardholder received the terms and conditions for use of the card when it was issued, as well as periodic reminders of cardholder responsibilities; nevertheless, some NRCS employees have misused the card.  Examples of misuse include the following:

• Using the card for excessive cash advances or for cash advances unrelated to official travel.
• Using the card for non-official travel related expenses.
• Allowing someone else to use the card.
• Failing to make prompt and full payment of the travel card bill.

Misusing the travel charge card has serious consequences.  NRCS employees who engaged in such misconduct in the last few years have been disciplined and, in some cases, removed.

The potential penalties for misusing the Government travel charge card include:

• Removal for enabling another person to use his travel charge card.
• Suspension or removal for making unauthorized purchases (including cash advances).
• Suspension or removal for delinquency in paying travel charge card bills.

The information contained in this bulletin is copied directly from NB.360.7.32 issued on August 23, 2007.  National Instruction 360-300  contains more specific information about the disciplinary penalties warranted by various types of travel charge card misuse.  Travel charge card misuse has serious consequences; therefore, each cardholder should review Departmental Regulation 2300-001 (available at:  http://www.ocio.usda.gov/directives/doc/DR2300-001.pdf) and discuss any questions with the State Budget Officer.

/s/                                           
RICHARD SIMS                                         
State Conservationist               

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