Article 6 – Business and Travel Expenses – Allowances and Reimbursements

6.1 Business and Travel Expenses

The State agrees to reimburse employees for actual, necessary, and appropriate business and travel expenses in accordance with CalHR rules and Online HR Manual sections 2201 (Travel and Relocation Policy), 2202 (Mileage Reimbursement), and 2203 (Allowances and Travel Reimbursements).

Effective upon ratification of this agreement by both parties, lodging, transportation, and per diem expenses incurred will be reimbursed in accordance with the time frame requirements and rates set by CalHR. Personal vehicle mileage reimbursement rates will continue to be tied to the Federal Standard Mileage Reimbursement (FSMR) rates.

6.2 Moving Expenses

Whenever an employee is reasonably required to change his/her place of residence, the State shall reimburse the employee in accordance with existing administrative regulations. All current rules and regulations applying to State reimbursement of moving and relocation expenses shall remain in effect for the life of this Agreement.

6.3 Business Equipment, Materials and Supplies

The State shall provide all business equipment, materials and supplies deemed necessary by the State. Business equipment, materials and supplies provided pursuant to this Section are State-owned or leased property which will be maintained as the State deems necessary. Employees issued State-provided business equipment, materials and supplies shall be held responsible for loss of and/or damage to those items other than that incurred as the result of normal use, wear or through no fault of the employee.

It is the intent of the State to provide business equipment, materials and supplies to enable the employees to perform assigned duties and responsibilities.

6.4 Uniform Replacement

A. When the State requires a uniform to be worn as a condition of employment and does not provide such a uniform, the State shall authorize a uniform replacement allowance based upon actual costs for an amount to be determined by the State but not to exceed $670.00 per year for full-time employees, and not to exceed $335.00 a year for part-time employees of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Department of Parks and Recreation.

B. Uniform means outer garments, excluding shoes, which are required to be worn exclusively while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the position and which are different from design or fashion of the general population. This definition includes items that serve to identify the person, agency, function performed, rank or time in service.

C. In those cases where the State provides the uniform to be worn, the uniform items provided pursuant to this Section are State-owned or leased property which will be maintained as the State deems necessary. Employees issued State-provided uniform items shall be responsible for loss of, or damage to, the uniform items other than that incurred as the result of normal wear or through no fault of the employee.

D. In those cases where the State does not provide the uniform to be worn, Unit 10 employees shall be responsible for the purchase of the required uniform as a condition of employment. After a Unit 10 employee has been employed for the equivalent of one full year in a permanent position which requires a uniform, he/she must submit a request in accordance with existing departmental practice in order to receive a uniform allowance. The uniform replacement allowance anniversary date for employees in the Department of Parks and Recreation shall continue to be February 1 of each year. Employees who do not have one (1) full year of eligibility for the uniform replacement allowance as of February 1 of any year will receive an allowance pro-rated in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.

E. All required uniform items substantiated with a receipt(s) for same will be reimbursed up to the maximum allowance for the respective allowances as listed in Subsection A above.

6.5 Damage of Personal Items

A. In accordance with established procedures, when requested by an employee and approved by the department, the State will replace, repair or reimburse for various articles of personal property necessarily worn by unit employees in the course of his/her employment when such property is damaged or destroyed, through no fault of the employee, while the employee is carrying out his/her job assignment. Coverage is limited to articles of clothing, eyeglasses, hearing aids, watches and dentures. Depreciation will be considered in arriving at the reimbursement value of clothing and other articles. The repair or replacement cost for a watch shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00).

B. This provision does not apply to lost or stolen articles or when recovery is possible under Workers’ Compensation laws.

6.6 License Renewal Fees

The State agrees to reimburse permanent full-time employees who are required by law to maintain a license or certification as a condition of employment for the actual cost of the license renewal fees in effect on July 1 of each year of this Agreement.

It is understood that if any additional classes of Unit 10 employees are required to maintain a license or certification during the term of the Agreement, any required fees shall be paid by the State.

6.7 Safety Footwear

A. The purchase of specific safety or protective footwear required to be worn, but not provided by the employer shall be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $275.00 every two years.

B. The employee shall provide the employer with a receipt of purchase upon request for reimbursement.

C. Upon request to a department, by the Union, the department will provide a list of the assignments eligible to receive this reimbursement.