STATEWIDE TRAVEL PROGRAM - 4117

(Revised: 01/2016)

The Statewide Travel Program (STP) administers the travel contracts for airfare, commercial car rentals, travel management services (travel agency), and the travel payment system.

Agencies/departments must make all travel arrangements (airfare, hotel, commercial car rental and rail), with the exception of short-term rentals (defined below), through the STP. Comprehensive travel services are offered via the state’s authorized online self-booking tool which is the primary means for booking travel, and/or call-in service through the state’s contracted travel agency.

Short-term Rentals

Per Government Code section 19822.4 (Chapter 770, Statutes of 2015 [AB 229]), state employees may utilize lodging reserved through a short-term rental service (such as Airbnb), in lieu of the STP, when traveling on official state business.  Short-term rentals are defined in AB 229 as “residential property that is rented to a visitor for fewer than 30 days through a centralized online platform whereby the rental is advertised and payments for the rental are securely processed.” Reservations for short-term rentals may be made through the service’s proprietary centralized online platform (such as airbnb.com).

When determining the mode of transportation, travelers shall use the most economical means of transportation; i.e., taxi, rail, bus, air, state, commercial or privately-owned vehicle.

The Statewide Travel Program website may be accessed at Statewide Travel Program. For reference, see DGS Management Memo #14-03.