Board Adopts New Per Diem Rate for Members of State Legislature Effective October 1, 2004

At the September 24, 2004 meeting of the three-member Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (Board), the per diem rate for members of the State Legislature was set at $138, effective October 1, 2004. The Board is required to establish the living expense reimbursement rate for members of the State Legislature. The established rate cannot be less than the rate set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for federal employees traveling to Sacramento. However, if the rate is a higher rate than the federal rate, members of the State Legislature must pay taxes on the difference. As of October 1, 2004, the GSA is reducing their federal rate from $140 to $138. As a result, the Board, at its September meeting, unanimously adopted the $138 per diem rate for members of the State Legislature.